The Grand Forks Wildlife Hall will close its doors for good if another group or organization doesn’t take it over.
Brian Hancock, president of the Grand Forks Wildlife Association (GFWA), noted that the hall was originally granted to the club from the city.
“That was part of the deal when we received the hall,” he said. “The building was actually brought there in two pieces and put together. The building was granted so we can’t sell it for financial gain.”
Hancock noted that there have been offers from different parties that are interested in taking over the building but he added the club is still looking over the paperwork and working it out with the city.
He is also uncertain as to whether the hall can be granted to a for-profit organization.
“We don’t use it enough and we’ve actually outgrown the building,” he explained. “We rarely ever use it and even when we do use it, it’s costing us more than it is saving us.”
The lack of rentals over the past several years is another reason the society is looking to pass on the hall. Hancock pointed out that the hall used to be rented out for the Grand Forks Border Bruins bingo nights, weddings and receptions.
“The steady income that used to be there isn’t anymore,” he said. “It’s hard to justify keeping a building that you rarely use. If we were going to take a loss on it, it would be OK if we were in (the hall) more and using it for more stuff.”
Rather than spending $500 a month on the wildlife hall, Hancock noted that the club could be using that money to focus on more habitat restoration projects and fun activities for children.
Hancock also pointed out that other venues could be rented out for the eight meetings the wildlife association holds each year and various events, such as the horn scoring.
“Whether someone has taken it over or we’re just deserting the building, (our last) day is Nov. 15,” he said. “We’re going to keep the lights and the power paid up until the end of October and then give us 15 days grace to get everything out.”
Though many of the items inside the building belong to the society, bought through fundraisers over the years, the items can remain, should the building transfer to another group.
The rifle range located past the garbage dump will also remain with the society.
“Don’t let the hall be a marker for how the club is doing,” Hancock noted. “The club is actually doing very well and is as good as ever.”
The GFWA is currently working alongside the Ministry of Environment on an eco-restoration project near the Gilpin Grasslands
“We’ve donated 100 hours of manpower for brushing and slashing this fall,” Hancock said.
The GFWA currently has over 200 members and focuses on wildlife conservation, hunting and fishing, and all things pertaining to the outdoors.
“We try to put back as much as we take and to respect the land,” he concluded.
