National Hall Burns to the Ground

The historic centre of Smoky Lake was burnt out Friday, February 13 when a fire destroyed the Ukrainian National Hall. Five members of the Ukrainian Women's Association left the building at 4:30. By 5:00 smoke was seen coming out from under the eaves. They had been preparing a memorial dinner for Saturday noon and a Saturday 3:00 luncheon for a funeral. 

The fire started in the kitchen. It burned its way through the floor and sped down the crawl space on the hall side of the building. Heat from the burning kitchen went up the stove vents and ignited the shavings in the attic.

The firemen didn't have a chance of saving it. 

Arson has been ruled out. The cause of the fire is accidental. Inspectors checked for natural gas leaks and found none. When they sifted through the ashes Tuesday, they found the remains of an aluminum kettle melted on the stove closest to the back of the hall. Melting aluminum splatters and it's though that the hot metal ignited the floor. 

Tom Boy store owner Walter DeSilva, two doors down at the time, was out the back door and racing to the building by the time the sirens went. "There's smoke coming from the National Hall" is what he was told. The volunteer fire department men brought the town unit, hooked it up to the hydrant in front of Sears but couldn't get in the building. It was full of smoke, said Mr. DeSilva. The flames started to come out the back end and that's when we started to lay water on it. 

Two firemen, Hank Holowaychuk and Tim Babie, got on their air packs and went in the front door with hoses. An axe was used to break the lock. It was hot in there said Hank, and dark with smoke. They got in about 10 - 15 feet, sprayed the water around as best they could, but could not see any flames. 

The Ukrainian National Hall president Steve Romanchuk was buying flowers for his wife when vet Ernie Doktor told them the hall was on fire. Still on crutches from a serious car accident that injured both he and his wife he gave the back door key to Mayor Ernie Brousseau who went through the smoke and got the door open.

The firemen fogged the flames in the kitchen area and had them beaten down, but the fire was already in the attic. In theory the fog of mist changes to steam, expands a thousand times, cooling the interior until its below the point of combustion. Firemen are to fog the area, back out and the fire snuffs. 

But, explained County Firechief John Jusypink who rushed in from his farm 7 miles away, it doesn't work when the fire is in an attic. There are just too many vents, too much oxygen to keep the combustion going. 

The wood in the National Hall, built in 1921, was tinder dry. As the wood ages, it becomes more porous and the carbon changes until it sits like a match stick ready to ignite. In 20 minutes it was too late. The fire crept along the rafters, poked through the roof and engulfed the building in a massive smoky flame.

Although the building was old it had recently been rewired and inspected. In fact the whole building had been modernized again and again. Just last year a new air condition had been installed, new ceiling fans. This year new tables and chairs. The outside was recently resided. The wall between the dining area and the dance floor was removed and replaced with pillars. There were new flourescent lights, new ceiling tiles, new doors, the floors resanded, new tables purchased. According to hall president Steve Romanchuk, over $80,000 plus labour had been spent modernizing the hall. 

The hall itself is owned by the 40 - 50 members of the Taras Shewchenko Association of Smoky Lake. It was separate, but closely associated with the Ukrainain Greek Orthodox Church. Partly a church hall but mostly of the Ukrainian people, explained parish Priest Father Loren Kubin. The association's original aims were to observe Ukrainian holidays, preserve the Ukrainian language, arts, and culture and to hold church services for the education of young and old.

History

 The association originally planned a 30x60 ft. by 12 ft. high building, then added another 16 ft and later a dining area and kitchen on the west side. They bought lot 1 block 5 from John Stogrin. Wawryk Noykolayewich was hired as head carpenter, Nick W. Gavinchuk, William G. Chahley, Wasyl Starchuk and Peter Rizun served on the building committee. Members donated time, labour, building materials, wood for heating and furniture. $1009 was collected in donations and a fee of $1.00 for joining the society and 50 cents a month was charged to men there after. Women paid 50 cents and 25 cents per month. 

They used 11,942 feet of lumber, mostly donated. Farmers and business men donated 20 cubic yards of gravel. They held dances, concerts and plays in a rented store. 

By May 21 the footings were dug by hand by volunteers. The cement was poured and the building started. All that's left today is the concrete. 

With volunteer labour the building was erected in a short time. The first concert was held in July of 1921. Being the only hall in the village of Smoky Lake it was used a great deal. 

The library committee had 80 books. In March they celebrated Taras Shenchenko's holiday. He was a Ukrainian poet, writer and artist who lived from 1814 - 1861. His works aroused the consciousness of the Ukrainian people then and that's what the hall they named after him did for Smoky Lake. The Hall was a place for theatre, concerts, plays and dances. A piano was purchased and rented to the orchestras for $5.00 a night. The hall itself was $10 per day. It was open every Sunday from 12:00 to 9:00 p.m. for members to read the library books and newspapers.

The provincial government rented it for lectures on the economy and education. In 1925 Rev. Dmytrow Senta was engaged to teach Ukrainian in the public school and in the National Hall on Saturday mornings. He offered mandolin and guitar lessons two days a week. By 1925 the 16x30 ft. addition had been added to the side of the hall. A second chimney was added, a second heater. Extra chairs were bought. Moving pictures were shown twice a month by John Woyenko. Ukrainian School was held every Sunday. 

From 1927 - 1930 the Association faced dissension from the United Labour and Farmers Temple Association (ULFTA) who tried to take over the hall. Many of their members where members of the Taras Shewchenko Association. By the 1930s the leftists were out voted and the hall gradually came under the control of the members of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church. The hall then saw less politics and more in the way of Christmas concerts, Mother's day programs and a bazaar sponsored by the Ukrainian Woman's Association.

The youth group Cymk was organized in 1932 under the sponsorship of the society and has been a part of the hall ever since. Their literature records and rafts went up in the flames along with the piano, the library, the 55 years of records of the Ukrainian Women's Association.

And the Malankas. Who in today's Smoky Lake could forget the Malankas, the once a year Ukrainian New Years celebration, the Malanka, the goat, the gypsy, and all the other costumed players. Not only has the building, which played such a part in the mood of the Malanka been destroyed, but also the costumes. They were carefully folded and put into boxes and placed in a storage area off the stage just before the fire. Previously they had been stored in various houses around the community.

 The hall has been rented out as a school for a year in the 1930s when the pupils overloaded the classrooms. The hardwood floor was installed in 1935 and the basement enlarged to hold more coal. 

Activity diminished during the war years, but resurged during the 1950s. There was a heavy demand for food preparation. For the Malankas the pooshchenias, the legion dinners, the weddings and anniversaries.

A large walk in cooler was installed and the first of the many commercial gas ranges. The Ukrainian Woman's foundation provided the funds for this project and all the additions in the kitchen. In 1959 the hall was enlarged, and the on the side dining area was built. Bingos, whist drives, concerts and donations paid for the work. The ladies have since added commercial dishwashers and in the last two years bought all new pots and cutlery. Their freezers were full of cabbage leaves and vegetables and a motion had been made at the last meeting to buy a food processor. There was little left to improve the hall besides buying new table cloths instead of the newsprint table coverings and that was in the works too.

The ladies, though their work in the kitchen, were the main fund raisers. Their donations paid for much of the renovations in the hall and were slated to go towards the renovation of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church. A meeting had been held this month and the go ahead given to the front of the church addition. A mother's room was to be added, indoor washrooms and a meeting room. 

The loss of the hall and the catering facilities is a real blow to the church, said Father Kubin. 

There was insurance on the building. In December the policy on the building was increased from $35,000 to $55,000 with $15,00 on the contents. But it is not enough to rebuild. A building of that size new would cost $250,000 - $300,000. Meetings between the groups with interest in the hall will be held shortly to decide whether to rebuilt. The embers on the door frame have ceased to glow red, the fire is now out, the memories remain. 

Smoky Lake Signal, Wednesday, February 25, 1987. 

Front page:

Encouraged to Rebuild 

The Smoky Lake Chamber of Commerce will be writing the Taras Shewchenko Educational Association of Smoky Lake, the owners of what was the Ukrainian National Hall to encourage them to rebuild. 

Besides losing a historical landmark in the town, the loss of the medium size hall which was used for everything from weddings, to meetings will mean a substantial loss to the Smoky Lake business community.

TomBoy owner Walter DeSilva at the Chamber meeting suggested $100,000 per year will be lost unless the building is replaced.

The spin offs were phenomenal. The majority of the dos attracted people from out of town and they brought money to spend. The Ukrainian Woman's Association president Liz Roshko agreed, noting that there were 16 bookings within the last 2 months. The hall was well used.

 If the Taras Shewchenko Association knows there is support from other clubs and organizations in the community it may sway them to rebuild. 

Editorial..... 

We are all co-insurers. What that means and what the National Hall in Smoky Lake has found is that since they didn't put enough insurance on their building they don't get anywhere near the amount on their policy after a fire.

In the National Hall's case their $55,000 on the building is no where near the 80% of the replacement value that the insurance policy says must be on. If a building is covered 80 - 100% (depends on the policy) then the insurance will replace the structure if disaster strikes. If you've only bought insurance to cover half the replacement cost of a building, the company considers you a co-insurer and will only pay half of the amount of the policy. The co-insurance clause keeps insurance values up to date. It also forces policies and premiums higher. It's up to the person taking out the insurance to balance the cost of the policy against the risk. 

In the case of the National Hall the Taras Shewchenko Educational Society chose to save on the premium. The insurance company notified the local agent Ron Oranchuk's office in December that the policy on the building was low. Unless the amount on the policy was increased they wouldn't cover it anymore. The local agent said to double it from $35,000 too $70,000 which was still considered low by both the agent and the insurance company. They figured at least $120,000 - $1300,000 would have been appropriate. The Society's executive took the figure to the annual meeting and they decided to reduce the policy from $70,000 to $55,000. They saved $36.00. The contents was increased to $30,000. That much the Society will likely get back. But for the building the $55,000 is considered much less than the 80% needed to avoid the co-insurance clause. Since the building wasn't insured to even half the value the insurance company is likely to pay only half the $55,000 for the building. Insuring the 60 year structure to full replacement value would have cost from $250.00 - $300.00 more in premiums per year. 

- - - - - - - - - -

There was another national home of Taras Shewchenko and it too burned down. It was built in 1932 in the Highland or Barich District, 8 miles north of Warspite. Through memberships, donations, fund raising and volunteer labour their hall was built. Each member invested $10 worth of goods or labour and one day's work was worth $1. 

One thousand board feet of lumber was bought for $12 and played for another $18. 15 sacks of cement for $17 was purchased along with $30 worth of shingles and $10 worth of bricks. A $4.75 gas lamp was installed and an 85A2 coal oil lamp and 4 dozen cups purchased for $3.60. The entertainment license was $1.10 and fire insurance $9.00. The insurance came in handy. Six months after the building was completed it burned to the ground, amid rumours of arsonists and political factions which were never substantiated. This time they rebuilt their home out of stone and concrete and the shell still stands. 

The hall with it's 15 inch thick walls of pink, grey and white stones is unique in the district. Of the $600 collected for fire insurance $225 was paid to the masons for the stonework. By December of that year the new hall was standing and by January the first concert held. 

Above the stage was a portrait of Taras Shewchenko, a union jack stood on one side and the yellow and purple Ukrainian national flat on the other. It served not only as a social gathering place, but as a "chitalnia" or reading room modelled after those of the old country. Its constitution which was standard for all such institutions stipulated that it's objectives were to uphold cultural, economic and moral standards of Ukrainian people by means of worldly study by youth and old.

They were to encourage ethnic studies for children by including music, theatre, economic organizations, knowledge of ethnic holidays and use of the libraries. Membership was open to all of Ukrainian descent regardless of political and religious persuasion. The early minutes and records were all in Ukrainian, but as time went on more English words crept in and later the hall was made available to political meetings, bingos and movies. 

From 1946 on it was used exclusively for weddings, showers and elections. By 1964 it's time was over. Abandoned the old hall is now a shell stripped of it's furnishings and decorations by antique collectors.

 The number of people in the Barich area decreased as it did everywhere in the farm prairies until the hall was no longer needed. 

Wednesday, March 4, 1987. Volume 9, Number 41 

On the front page:

National Hall 

The Ukrainian National Hall in Smoky Lake likely will be rebuilt. A committee has been struck and recommended to rebuilt it as much as it was, increasing its capacity to 300 from 250. 

The location will be the same and the Ukrainian Women's Association will continue to cater. The Hall's main problem now - money to rebuilt. The committee is searching from donations from members and the community as well as looking at grants and loans. The nature, quality and final projections depend on how much money is raised. 

From the same issue, on the Letter's page:

 I was sorry for the Ladies of Smoky Lake in losing their hall by fire.

Warspite has had its share of fires too, let me tell you about them as I remember them. Our first little school built on the north side of the CNR track, in 1934 the heater exploded in the basement causing a small fire. The children lamented having to go to school on Saturdays to make up fro the two weeks school was closed while repairs were made.

Next some time in the early 20s the little red station house was destroyed by fire. It was missed by mothers and children alike. The station agent, a kind man, willingly kept a big pot of soup cooking on his flat topped stove for the school children. At noon some of the older boys or girls would go get the kettle of soup and the children then had a warm dinner. One night it burnt, no one knew why or how. Foul play was thought, but there was no proof. 

In 1928 McAdams store caught fire. It quickly spread to Mr. Pickard's store. Both were a complete loss. Mr. Pickard rebuilt his store on the corner. 

In 1941 Warspite lost four grain elevators to fire. Only the UGG was left. A strong west wind helped save the town. The Pool, Cereal and Federal were rebuilt. The Home Grain never rebuilt in Warspite. 

In 1967 lightning struck the Cereal grain elevator. It burnt but was never replaced in Warspite. Some boys were burning out gopher hills south of town and did some damage to some oil barrels and some of the bee keepers hives before it was brought under control. 

Mr. Manchakowski's garage caught fire. It did quite a lot of damage to the garage and to Mr. Shapka's store house before it was put out. Reine Chambers house was struck by lightning. It did a small amount of damage to one corner of his roof. Alex Prockiw gave the alarm that Mr. Stabodgons house was on fire. And the Warspite volunteers with a new fire engine put it out before too much damage was done. 

Mr. Manchakowski's garage caught fire and burnt to the ground so it had to be replaced. Then on Jan. 3, 1966 our new school was destroyed by fire. It was the coldest day of the winter, so cold the water pipes froze and the firemen couldn't even fasten the pipes to the hydrant. Nothing was saved but no one was hurt. Then our children were bussed to Smoky and one by one our places of business closed down until for awhile we didn't have a store at all. Now Mrs. Jerzak has a little store in their garage. And the Warspite Senior Citizens Gold Age Club are doing what they can to make life a little more enjoyable to all. 

by Martha Carson.

 Also from the same issue, on the letters page.... 

Smoky Lake Signal wishes to apologize to the Taras Shewchenko Educational Association for a number of errors in last week's editorial. The hall executive did raise their insurance on the National Hall from $35,000 to $55,000 and the contents from $20,000 to $30,000 and the insurance agents did say that that was not enough. 

But according to Hall Secretary-Treasurer George Preddy the explanation of co-insurance and how the hall is affected by it came after the annual meeting had met. Mr. Predy didn't feel he had the authority to raise the insurance on his own. Mr. Predy left for holidays and the building was gone by the time he returned. 

Wednesday April 29, 1987, Volume 9, Number 49

On page 6...

Taras Shevchenko Society seeks help in rebuilding 

John Roshko, committee member of the Ukrainian Education Association of Taras Shevchenko in Smoky Lake has written the province, county and town of Smoky Lake requesting assistance in rebuilding the hall. 

The tragic fire of February 13 destroyed the National Hall and all it's contents. The original 76 ft. by 30 ft structure had a dining section added in 1960 and two years ago was completely renovated with new linoleum floors, light fixtures, ceiling, 25 new arbarite top tables, new siding, windows, entrance doors, electrical ugrade - now all in ashes. The only improvement sill left is the new concrete ramp for the disabled.

The Society, in concert with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church parish and Ukrainian Women's Association of Smoky Lake have valued our Ukrainian heritage, said Mr. Roshko. Though communication and programs they've reflected and nurtured Ukrainian cultural heritage and religious beliefs.

As well, the hall provided space for a multitude of organizations and individuals. It was to a large extent the central node for the community's social, cultural, economic and political life. Surplus capital accumulation was not the association's objective. The non-profit orientation resulted in low costs and service in kind to others. Funds when generated were spent on the building. The Society does not want the National Hall to suffer the same fate as other halls which have burned down. They want this one to be rebuilt. But present regulatory structural and health standards dictate a much more expensive new structure. The present replacement cost - $300,000. The insurance coverage $85,000 for building and contents. 

Although the group forsees some financial support within their own organization and its associations members as well as donations from the community at large, these funds coupled with other fund raising are insufficient to prevent the organization from plunging into formidable debt through borrowing. 

The group has appealed to the town, county and province for information relating to the financial assistance and the availability of human and physical resources. 

Both the town and the county opted to send copies of the letter to the Rec Board. It's up to that join board to decide whether or not community recreation and culture grants should go towards rebuilding the hall.

Wednesday, September 16, 1987 Volume 10, Number 20

Smoky Lake Ukrainian National Hall Sod Turning Ceremony

By Marcie Michalewich

Members and guests of the Taras Shevchenko Society gathered together Sunday afternoon, September 13, 1987 at the empty lot where once the Ukrainian National Hall stood (it was destroyed by fire February 13, 1987). This time it was for a happy occasion - the sod turning ceremony for a new hall. Dignitaries present included MLA Steve Zarusky, Redwater-Andrew Constituency and Town of Smoky Lake Mayor Ernie Brousseau.
Steve W. Romanchuk spoke on behalf of the membership. "The original Ukrainian National Hall in Smoky Lake was built in 1921. It served the community well. Various dos and functions were held there. Ukrainian cultural activities were held in the hall to keep up the Ukrainian tradition. "We intend to keep it up in this new building," said Mr. Romanchuk.
Mayor Ernie Brousseau, on behalf of the Town of Smoky Lake, welcomes the reconstruction of such a landmark. "The hall has had a great impact on the development and growth of the town," said Mr. Brousseau. He commended the group for their wise decision to rebuild. "Sometimes in life we have to explore different avenues to protect our identity. The reconstruction of the Ukrainian National Hall is one way to protect your identity. You should always be proud to be Ukrainian Canadians," said Mr. Brousseau.
Redwater-Andrew Constituency, MLA Steve Zarusky, said "it is nice to see that the group is working together to rebuild a new facility to serve the town and community."
The society is to be the main contractor. Mr. Zarusky said that some government assistance will be provided. A program is in the making now.
Congratulations and good luck. Hope to have a party at Christmas in this new facility, said the MLA.
The estimated cost of the building is $200,000 with approximately $30,000 for all the fixtures. Expected date of completion is in 5 or 6 months.
At the last meeting of the Taras Shevchenko Society the whole membership approved the rebuilding of a new hall. In fact, work on the hall started Monday, Sept. 14. The new hall construction foreman is Walter Yakowchuk from Grassland. He will obtain all the needed materials and supervise the construction. 
"The hall will be a great asset to the Town of Smoky Lake, as well as, the community, the hall will be something the community will be very proud of," said Steve Semaka, one of the building committee members.
"On behalf of the Ukrainian National Hall members, thank you to the Ukrainian Women's Association who promised to help pay for the deficit of the hall." said Hall organizer Steve Romanchuk.

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