The Council House Paint Shop

For years visitors to Onteora have been looking at the shabby condition of the Council House and saying something should be done about it. Well, something is being done - in fact, some major efforts are underway to stabilize and preserve the old dining hall. Already the inside has been cleared of the old tents, tables and other items stored in it. Work is getting underway to gut the kitchen, which is full of rusting equipment that is no longer needed. The Council is getting ready to award a contract to re-roof the building, while volunteers are preparing to repair the foundation.

What can you do to help? I'm glad you asked! Plans are now being made for the Onteora Alumni Association Fall Weekend (Sept 17-19, 2004) that will see the Council House repainted for the first time in decades! This is more than a cosmetic step, for this repainting will help preserve the wood for years to come. To get this done we will need volunteers ready to spend an hour with a paint brush or roller, and 40 gallons of paint. Here's where you can help. Each gallon is $30 - and it's tax deductible! If you can help by paying for a gallon please let me know. Get your name on a paint can below - but more importantly, help get a gallon of paint on the building.

Please e-mail me for details on how to pay, or to let me know if you plan to join the paint party at camp that weekend. Donations of brushes, cleaning supplies, etc. are also welcome. Rick Balla has agreed to pick up the paint but needs help getting it to camp. If you can help in any of these ways click here to contact me.

Let's stop talking about saving the Council House and get it done!

Project update for August 1, 2004 - thanks to Vic Varonier:

Work has started on the foundation and the roof has been partially stripped and should be totally stripped in about a week or so. The skylights are ordered and a lot of the boards have to be replaced. Work is going to be done this week on the stripping of the kitchen as well as the foundation.

More from Glenn Greubel:

I was in the Council House this past Saturday and there was a work crew there removing the old roof so a new one could be installed.  Additionally, the basement foundation has been exposed so that repairs can be made.

AUGUST 26 update:

The new roof is on the Council House and is said to look pretty good indeed!