HYRUM – The Elite Hall in Hyrum may soon look different with an addition being built on the east side of the historical building.
The rendering of what the Elite Hall addition.
The addition has been in the works for nearly a decade, and Jami J. Van Huss with the Hyrum City Museum said they are about ready to start construction.
“It’s a project that’s been in the works for almost ten years,“ she explains. “We are working closely with Utah’s State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).”
The addition will be attached to the east side and provide a handicap access to the building.
“The addition is designed to look similar to the building that sat next to the Elite Hall when it was built in 1915,” Van Huss said. “It will have a ramp and a main-floor kitchen.”
The addition is going to have a large flex-space, giving it more options with a main-floor area where tables and chairs can more easily be set up.
Elite Hall has been used for many free community events such as exercise classes, monthly movies through the winter, and the museum’s Grand Old Flag event during Hyrum’s Star-Spangled city celebration. The building has also been used as a place to host public and private dances, parties, lessons, and other events throughout the year.
“With updated architectural plans and impressive attendance numbers, we’ve been able to secure nearly all the funds we need from private donors, additional grants, Hyrum City, and the Cache County RAPZ tax grant to start construction,” she said. “Hyrum City has put the project out to bid. Many contractors submitted bids, but we need to get a little more funding to start construction.”
Van Huss said they still only need about 25 percent of the funds needed before the construction can begin.
“If anyone is looking for a tax-deductible opportunity that will directly benefit the Cache Valley community for generations to come, they should contact me,” she said. “We have a donor-recognition system that will be installed in the new addition and there are naming projects available for those willing to donate over $25,000.”
The museum director wanted to remind the public of the upcoming events at Elite Hall.
The USU Big Band Swing Club will hold a dance on Friday, Nov. 21, from 7 until 10 p.m. with free dance lessons for the first half hour. They will have a live band, and the cost is only $10 per person. Anyone wanting to see what it is like to dance on a spring-loaded dance floor should put it on their calendar.
The museum will be launching their Free Family Movie series at Elite Hall showing this year’s new live action “Lilo & Stitch” on Friday Nov. 7. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the movie will begin at 7 p.m. Participants are welcome to bring camp chairs, blankets, pillows, food, and drinks to get cozy and enjoy the movie.
For more information contact Jami J. Van Huss the Hyrum City Museum Director, VP Professional Development, Utah Museums Association by email at museum@hyrumcity.gov or by phone at (435) 245-0208.