New Scout Hut nears completion
The outside of the new Scout Hut is basically complete, and currently work is focused on the inside of the structure, according to Ricky Lucas, who is doing most of the construction.
“The patio area is still in process, and we are considering putting up a fence on one side,” Lucas said. “We still need to do more ground leveling and haul some gravel before we put in a handicap ramp. However, it is has been too wet to haul stuff.”
Pipes have been installed, but the plumbing fixtures inside the Hut, including sinks and toilets, still need to be added. Additionally, the plumbing needs to be tied in to a septic tank and the meter, according to Lucas.
“We won’t haul in the rest of the gravel until we have the plumbing tied in, so I can get to where I’ll need to connect it,” he said.
Work has been moving ahead on the inside of the building, and the interior of the Scout Hut is now about 75 percent done, according to Lucas.
“Spray insulation is in, and the insulation on the ceiling has been painted,” said Lucas. “There is some welding to do on the inside counters and shelves. The interior walls are almost all the way up, but we still need to do some work on the walls around the windows.”
The time frame until completion is not nailed down, because the work, which Lucas is doing at a discounted rate, is affected by both the weather and by Lucas’s other jobs.
“I was able to keep my labor costs on the Scout Hut very low by being able to pull off of this project and take paying jobs whenever they became available, so I could still make ends meet,” Lucas said. “One of the last things we will do on the Scout Hut is install central heating and air. But, except for it being a construction zone, it is almost far enough along that you could have a meeting in there.”
Demolition on the former Scout Hut began almost one year ago after engineers deemed that the building, which had not been used for several years, was no longer structurally safe.
Plans for the new 2019 structure included re-purposing the cedar and rock from the previous Scout Hut for a new patio area.
The City of Albany owns the lot where the Scout Hut stands, according to city manager Billy Holson, who said that it had specifically been deemed for Scout use.
The new 60x30-foot metal building was funded by private donations, contributions from the Albany Chest, and two pledged $15,000 matching grants.
Originally estimated to cost $85,000 to $95,000, the fundraising target for the Scout Hut was met, but because the costs of many of the building materials rose during the drive, additional funds will likely be needed, according to project organizer Teri Lucas.
Donations can be made out to BSA Building Fund and mailed to Teri Lucas, Committee Chair, PO Box 3034, Albany TX 76430.
