More than a year after flooding forced it from its longtime clubhouse in Rotary Park, the Maysville Rotary Club will return to its home base next week.

It’s been a long journey from the day in February 2018 when club members were roused from their sleep and told the clubhouse was taking on water from flash flooding in the Newtown area, members who gathered in the renovated clubhouse said Wednesday.

Now, new walls, fresh paint, new appliances, replacement chairs donated by DPandL, new floors all give the building a bright and inviting appearance.

Doug Hendrickson recalled getting an early morning wake-up call Feb. 22, telling him he needed to “get down here,” he said. When he arrived he found 4-6 inches of water on the floor.

Members and friends pitched in to remove furniture and artifacts as quickly as possible. Despite the effort, quite a few items were lost, Hendrickson said.

Thankfully, the valuable Steinway piano, donated to the club by the late Dr. Claude Cummins, was saved with help from McRoberts Furniture in removing it from the clubhouse. Sent for refurbishing and repair, the restorer said it was the only flood-damaged piano he had been able to save, club member Harry Mann said.

Damage to the building itself was extensive, with drywall midway up walls water soaked, along with insulation, flooring, kitchen base cabinets and most appliances. Mold abatement was also an issue. Infrastructure — plumbing and electric — was damaged or destroyed.

The damage to a facility that was originally a shelter house built on a dump in the late 1960s and never intended to be used as a building left the club with a dilemma — to rebuild and return to the clubhouse or not rebuild, club member Michael Parker said.

Club members weighed their options taking several factors into consideration. Most Rotary Clubs do not have their own facility which meant the clubhouse was neither a requirement nor a necessity for the club to continue. And the expense of restoring the clubhouse would be beyond the club’s immediate means.

But the history of the organization and its commitment to community service established decades ago by men such as Palmer Smart and J.P. Anderson was also taken under advisement before a decision was made.

In the meantime, the club continued meeting weekly thanks to the hospitality of Chan Warner and use of his facility, Chan’s Too.

After debating and discussing, club members finally came to the conclusion that the clubhouse was a community fixture that needed to be returned to service, not only for the club but other organizations and community events such as Polly’s Thanksgiving dinner and Boy Scout meetings.

“It defines Maysville Rotary, ” Parker said. “It’s a community asset, a part of the tapestry of the community. We felt it was important to bring it back for the people, not just the Rotary.”

First the building was stabilized and then began the hard work of deciding how to go about raising the estimated $100,000-$250,000 for repairs. On top of that, since the Rotary was a 501 (c) 4 organization, it was not in a position to accept tax deductible donations for the repairs, Hendrickson said. That problem was solved by establishing a 501 (c) 3 non profit foundation, Hendrickson said.

After that issue was resolved, club members were ready to begin the task at raising the funding for the project. Parker was named chair of the Maysville Rotary Foundation and the Maysville Rotary Clubhouse Restoration Project was officially underway.

A majority of club members have donated and the remainder will likely pledge to donate, Parker said.

Offers of help have been extended from Rotary Clubs as far away as Mexico City, Mann said.

Work began in late February before the more than $100,000 the project costs was raised, thanks to a line of credit extended to the Rotary by the Bank of Maysville and the generosity of the community and suppliers. Jerike Construction performed the work.

While the group attempted to stay within budget, like most home or building improvement projects, there were unexpected expenses and surprises within walls, Rotary President Scott Poe said, meaning gap funding will be needed and he hopes the community will pitch in with donations.

Parker said it is important for the community to know that the club did not use any funds it raised for its philanthropic work for the building project.

“All funds raised are still used for their intended purpose,” he said.

On Tuesday, the Maysville Rotary Club will abandon its temporary home and convene in the Maysville Rotary Clubhouse for its annual Passing of the Gavel and awards night dinner. District Governor John Hutchings, only the third district governor from Maysville, will be on hand for the event.

“At the end of the day, we restored this building to better condition than it was prior (to the flood),” Parker said. “It’s been a long process. As Rotarians we’re proud to have this here.”

They all agreed, it’s good to be back home.

Members’ badges hang on the clubhouse wall awaiting their owners.
https://maysville-online.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/web1_badges-2.jpgMembers’ badges hang on the clubhouse wall awaiting their owners.

Utility crews disconnect electric service to the Maysville Rotary Club’s clubhouse in February 2018.
https://maysville-online.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/web1_before-2.jpgUtility crews disconnect electric service to the Maysville Rotary Club’s clubhouse in February 2018.

After more than a year, the Maysville Rotary Club’s clubhouse is back in service.
https://maysville-online.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/web1_after-2.jpgAfter more than a year, the Maysville Rotary Club’s clubhouse is back in service.

Mark Maynard passes by a dumpster full of Boy Scout items that were removed from a storage unit next to the Maysville Rotary Club’s club house in 2018. The items were a vital part to his Boy Scout troop and were destroyed during the flood.
https://maysville-online.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/web1_damage-2.jpgMark Maynard passes by a dumpster full of Boy Scout items that were removed from a storage unit next to the Maysville Rotary Club’s club house in 2018. The items were a vital part to his Boy Scout troop and were destroyed during the flood.

A newly remodeled Maysville Rotary Club meeting room sparkled after being brought back from a devastating flood in 2018.
https://maysville-online.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/web1_meeting-2.jpgA newly remodeled Maysville Rotary Club meeting room sparkled after being brought back from a devastating flood in 2018.

Rotarians shown in photo are Harry Mann, Scott Poe, Michael Parker, and Doug Hendrickson.
https://maysville-online.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/web1_members-2.jpgRotarians shown in photo are Harry Mann, Scott Poe, Michael Parker, and Doug Hendrickson.

Mary Ann Kearns

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