FARMINGTON — The Elks Lodge has one year to complete renovations to comply with a state fire marshal inspection or the hall will be shut down, an official said.

A recent inspection of the popular site for public receptions revealed seven items the State Fire Marshal’s Office wants completed to ensure public safety, lodge manager Barbara Tripp said.

In May, Tripp received a call from the state office asking if the lodge had a dance permit. No one knew the lodge needed one, she said.

One of the steps to obtain the permit was the inspection, which revealed a lack of handrails, which the lodge added, a with fire suppression system for the kitchen, and a pull station fire alarm system, she said.

“The state office has been wonderful about working with us,” she said. “Assistant Fire Marshal Rich McCarthy granted the license and gave us a year to complete the work.”

When the lodge reapplies for the license in July 2013, the renovations must be done or the lodge will be closed to the public and lodge members, she said.

The lodge understands the necessity of the improvements for public safety, she said.

“We don’t want anybody to be hurt,” she said.

Along with the fire suppression system, the kitchen renovation includes a new hood, new exhaust fan, a new base for the grill, and a fire wall. Estimates are about $14,000.

The red pull station fire alarms at every door, which directly alert the fire department, cost about $6,000, she said.

Because the lodge doesn’t have the $20,000 it has begun raising money, Tripp said.

The work cannot start until half the amount is raised, which contractors are requiring, she said.

The next project includes a horseshoe tournament, motorcycle show and pig roast at the lodge on Aug. 18, she said. Registration for the tournament starts at 10 a.m. followed by the motorcycle show at 4 p.m. and pig roast served at 5 p.m.

The motorcycle show includes prizes awarded for vintage bikes (proof of title needed), people’s choice and best of show determined by judges, she said. There’s a $5 entry fee.

The tournament with teams randomly chosen costs $10 per person and the pig roast meal is $10, or $8 for those who play in the tournament.

Tripp said the lodge does a lot of fundraising. It includes an upcoming annual scholarship bike run. 

All the registration fees help to provide $1,000 scholarships for area high school students. Last year, six were given out. This year the goal is to provide 10 since it’s the 10th year annual run, she said.

The lodge does a lot for other youth activities and veterans.

The main floor of the former schoolhouse is often rented for receptions and events. The lodge has donated the hall for fundraisers for cancer victims this year, whether they were members or not, she said.

“When people need help, we’ll donate the hall or whatever time we have to give,” she added.

This time it’s the lodge that needs help.

“We don’t help for the glory. We do it because we want to give to the community. We’re hoping the community will come out and support us and help us a little bit,” she said.

A “Fame in Farmington” event similar to “America’s Got Talent” is planned for November.

The lodge will also accept donations or items for an auction or raffle.

For more information, call 778-6761.

abryant@sunjournal.com

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