By By MaryClaire Foster
For years, the old Boy Scout hut on W. Craig Street has been sitting behind Heritage Park and slowly falling into ruins after years of neglect.
With the coordination of the Leadership Atmore Class of 2009, along with the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce, Atmore VFW Post 90 and the American Legion, the Boy Scout hut could soon be restored and put into use in 2010.
As a part of their graduation from Leadership Atmore, the Class of 2009 chose to restore the Boy Scout hut for their class project with class president Judd Coley coordinating the effort.
Coley said the Leadership class is working to renovate the hut.
Another aspect of the reconstruction of the hut is the city being a part of the State of Alabama’s 2010 promotion, “The Year of Alabama Small Towns &Downtowns.”
The Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce and the Leadership Atmore Class of 2009 have joined forces in hopes of finishing the hut and unveiling it by 2010 as part of the state’s promotion.
Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sheryl Vickery said there will be a kick off to the restoring of the hut with events on Aug. 20 and 22.
Refreshments will also be served at the curiosity at the hut day donated by Pepsi, Winn-Dixie and Southern Family Markets.
Once the hut is completed the goal is to get Scout troops in the area to use the hut for meetings and other Scouting experiences.
John Sweeting, commander of the ROTC at Escambia County High School, said there are several beneficial things about the hut being restored.
Another program aligned with Scouting is called venturing, which is molded for young adults.
Sweeting said the venture group is something that allows young adults to participate in certain Scouting aspects, but take more high adrenaline and adventure events.
Along with the events on Aug. 20 and 22, the countdown to “The Year of Alabama Small Towns and Downtowns” will begin at William Stations Day in October.
For more information contact the Chamber of Commerce at 368-3305.