Cornelia Scout Hut restoration expands after volunteers uncover cracked foundation

CORNELIA — What began as a volunteer cleanup effort at Cornelia’s aging Scout Hut quickly turned into a much larger restoration project after volunteers discovered significant structural damage beneath the building’s old carpet.

Members of Grant-Reeves VFW Post 7720 in Cornelia, Scout leaders and volunteers recently gathered for a work day at the longtime Scout Hut used by Troop 24, clearing overgrown vegetation, cleaning the property and emptying the building in preparation for renovations.

But after pulling back portions of the carpet, volunteers found the concrete floor had cracked and separated because of foundation issues beneath the building.

Floor repair becomes immediate priority

“So what’s going to happen here is they’re going to raise the floor, get it as level as absolutely possible,” said Stewart Swanson, who has helped coordinate the restoration effort. “Once that is done, then we can start back where we were a month and a half ago.”

A company from metro Atlanta was at the Scout Hut Thursday performing repairs using a polymer injection process designed to lift and stabilize the concrete slab.

“What they’ll do is they’ll go in and drill holes through the floor,” Swanson said. “Then they have these machines, they’ll start injecting the polymer under the concrete and it expands, and then the floor starts rising.”

Swanson said the unexpected repair will cost more than $10,000 and forced organizers to shift priorities before moving forward with cosmetic renovations.

“When we rolled back some of the old carpet and stuff like that, that’s when we realized the floor had completely cracked and had separated,” he said.

Volunteers push ahead despite setback

Despite the setback, volunteers say the project has made significant progress since cleanup efforts began earlier this year.

Scoutmaster Jason Smith said approximately 15 volunteers participated in the recent work day, helping clear vegetation, edge the driveway, clean flower beds and install a yard hydrant to provide water access during future work days.

“We basically cleaned all the way around the buildings, because there’s vines and stuff that had actually grown up to the building into it,” Smith said. “This drive was pretty much covered in weeds and stuff.”

Smith said volunteers also removed and safely stored decades of scouting memorabilia and equipment from inside the building.

“There’s canoes, there’s memorabilia from years and years and years in the past,” Smith said. “A lot of the other troops, as they closed, they kind of came into Troop 24. We’ve kept it all. We want to make certain it’s preserved and maintained.”

The cleanup effort also dramatically improved the visibility of the property after the city removed old Leyland cypress trees from the site.

“It’s a completely remarkable turnaround in four months,” Smith said.

Long-term renovation plans take shape

Once the floor stabilization is complete, organizers hope to move into the next phase of renovations this summer, including replacing windows and doors, adding a new entrance and portico, repainting the building and eventually replacing the roof.

Swanson said labor support for the project has continued to grow, with Habitat for Humanity volunteers, Grant-Reeves VFW Post 7720 members, Scout families and local construction workers all committing to help when materials are available.

“The labor part, I’m feeling really good about,” Swanson said. “Really, it’s trying to either raise enough money to buy the materials or get some of these companies to donate the materials.”

One of the project’s biggest remaining needs is a heating and air conditioning system for the building.

“We’ve got to have a new heating and air system,” Swanson said. “We don’t need a brand spanking new highly efficient system. We need potentially a used system, but one that’s commercial rated and in good shape.”

Swanson said organizers are also seeking donations of building materials, including framing supplies, lighting, roofing materials and lumber.

Fundraising led by Habersham Kiwanis

The fundraising effort is being coordinated by the Habersham Kiwanis Club.

“We’re just honored that we’re able to support the Scout troop as they’re moving back into Cornelia,” said Habersham Kiwanis President Frank Wolf. “We’re really excited to see what they’re able to do with this Scout Hut and what this does for the future of mentorship and scouting in Cornelia.”

Wolf said donations can be mailed to Frank Wolf, 241 Larkin St., Suite 300, Cornelia, GA 30531. Those interested in helping can also contact [email protected].

“We want thank Stewart Swanson and all the scouting team who’s doing all the work behind the scenes that hasn’t been recognized yet,” Wolf said. “They’re really putting the effort in.”