Harrop Hall History

Early Days

The Harrop & District Community Centre (HDCC) Society was officially incorporated on April 21,1953. The Society was pre-dated by the Harrop Betterment Club. Dedicated community members decided a proper community hall was needed, and with $500 dollars from the Harrop and District Women’s Institute - along with donated materials, architectural plans and volunteer labour they set about planning the facility. The land for a community hall was donated by Tony Sicotte; work started in 1955 and was eventually finished in 1958.

History

Another addition - expanding the kitchen area - was added to the original structure in 1964. The last addition to the existing building was completed in 1976. At some point after that, likely in the early 1980’s, the Society supporting the hall and grounds was disbanded due to a general lack of interest. The society was re-instated in December 1993 through the efforts of the late Dianne Forrester, among others.

With a rejuvenated core group of society members, a deck was added to the west side of the building in 2009. The washrooms were updated - making one wheelchair accessible - and a ramp was added as part of ongoing upgrades. The kitchen has also been renovated.

In 2012, a 20 x 30 foot outdoor covered pavilion was built to enhance the grounds. This structure was built by volunteers over a week in August, spearheaded by Walter Harms and Dave Johnson. Extensive wiring by local electrician Kevin Shepherd makes the facility an ideal venue for social gatherings during the summer evenings.

The Harrop & District Community Centre Society - a small but dedicated group of community volunteers - continues to improve the facility using funds raised through several annual events and grants from local government. 

The Hall remains a focal point of the community. It is an ideal place to celebrate community and social events such as weddings, birthdays, fundraisers and dances. The Society hosts the annual Harrop Harvest Festival - now in its fifteenth year - on the 3rd Sunday in September as a key fundraising event. The society has renovated and maintains the Harrop Schoolhouse, which now operates the summer garden market after a number of years of being held on the Hall grounds.