Scout Hut nears completion

By Kathy Thomson

The new Scout Hut in Albany is almost ready to use, according to local Scout committee chair Teri Lucas, and the local Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts should be able to start using the building as soon as the plumbers have completed their part of the project. 

“The outside of the building is done, and most of the inside is finished,” said Lucas. “The floors, walls, electricity, heating, and air are installed. Tables and chairs have been donated by the First United Methodist Church.”

According to Lucas, the Scouts still have enough money in the building account to pay plumbers to install the toilet, finish the plumbing, and tie it into the water system, but that will use up most of the available funds. 

“We still have work to do on the outside yard, fire pit, and patio, but we’ll do those as funds become available,” Lucas said.

The Scouts set aside money for the new Scout Hut for several years, and coupled with donations and grant money, were finally able to begin construction on the $90,000 building in late 2018.

Albany’s original Scout Hut was constructed on the site in the 1940s, then rebuilt in 1977 by John Ayers and volunteers from Dyess Air Force base as Ayers’ Eagle Scout project. The building was torn down last spring because it had become structurally unsafe. 

The new Scout Hut is located on the same city-owned lot, and is a handicap accessible 60x30 foot metal building with a galvanized roof.

The patio and sitting wall will be made from Lue-ders limestone salvaged from the 1977 building.

“The Cub Scouts (ages five to 10) currently meet at First Christian Church and the Boy Scouts (ages 11-18) meet at Friendship Baptist Church,” said Lucas. “The new structure will allow the Scouts to once again have everything in a central location. The new Scout Hut will be all-purpose and multi-functional.”

All donations to the Albany Boy Scouts building program are tax deductible.