Gilstrap said he thinks this building is a landmark to Liberty, built in 1949. He said it is a historic building that Liberty should try to save. The building also serves as a memorial for troops in the past he said.
The building was built in the same year that Troop 172 began.
Cain Smith is an associate with Home Depot which will be helping fund some of the restoration through grants. However, the troop asked the city to help fill in the other costs.
Frank Newton has also helped get new toilets donated for the building. The floors need work and there are several structural issues that need to be fixed in order for the building to be saved.
Gilstrap said if the city could help fund the project, Troop 172 would put in the man hours to get the work done.
The Troop asked for anywhere from $800 to $1000 to get the building completely sound. The roof was replaced about a year ago, so it will not need any work. The windows are substantial as well.
“If you can get us an estimate, I’d like to see it,” said Councilman Walt McJunkin. “There is no reason we can’t afford to help out. That amount of money isn’t a lot of money for the benefit it will do to the community.”
Councilman Michael Sherriff said he really appreciated then for trying to save the building and memorial.
Mayor Brian Deese asked Councilman Brian Peterson to head up a committee including a couple of councilmen, the troop leaders and some contractors who could all work together and bring back to council a plan and estimate.
“I certainly think we can do this if we all work together,” said Deese.
There are about 12 members in Troop 172 and eight to 10 of them are really active said Gilstrap.
This year is Troop 172’s sixtieth anniversary and 2010 will be the one hundredth anniversary of Boy Scouts of America.
Councilmen Clark, Sherriff and Dwight Yates were all apart of Troop 172.
When a plan has been settled on, the council will take a vote on it.
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