Olney Scout Pack to Restore Cub Scout Hut in Griffin Park
The Olney City Council gave its blessing to a plan to rehabilitate the city-owned Scout Hut in Tom Griffin Park at its June 8 meeting.
Chris Garcia, American Legion District Commander and leader of Cub Scout Pack 414, appeared before the Council to request permission to raise money to restore the historic Scout Hut at Tom Griffin Park. The building, which sits inside the park’s walking trail, has served generations of Olney scouts and is believed to be at least 75 years old.
“This project is more than about a building,” Mr. Garcia said. “It’s about investing in our young people, preserving a piece of local history, and creating something that will benefit our community long after these scouts have grown up.”
American Legion Post 414 in Olney became the sponsoring organization for Olney’s scouting program last year. Mr. Garcia said Cub Scout Pack 414 currently serves boys and girls in kindergarten through fifth grade, but organizers hope to expand by creating a Scouts BSA troop for older youth, allowing them to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.
The Scout Hut has long been associated with scouting in Olney and still contains photographs documenting the organization’s local history. During the council discussion, former scout Dale Lovett recalled using the building as a Cub Scout in the 1950s. Mr. Garcia said photographs and memorabilia of Olney Eagle Scouts remain displayed inside.
Mr. Garcia said his vision is for a new generation of scouts to lead the project.
“We want them to learn the value of service, hard work, stewardship, and community investment,” Mr. Garcia said. “We want them to be able to look at that building years from now and say, ‘I helped make that happen.’” He said the building needs a new roof, updated electrical wiring, heating and air conditioning, and other repairs necessary to make the facility safe and functional. The building also needs cosmetic improvements - paint, cleanup, and landscaping – that can be done by volunteers.
Mr. Garcia said he has already begun gathering estimates from local contractors and hopes to keep as much of the project spending in Olney as possible.
Mayor Rue Rogers said the project has been discussed for at least 10 years. “The missing piece is just someone to take the ball and run with it. I’m thrilled that you’re willing,” he said.
Because the Scout Hut is city-owned property, council members discussed the possibility of entering into a longterm lease agreement with the scouting organization to provide legal protection for both the city and the scouts while allowing restoration work to move forward.
No formal action was taken Monday night, but council members directed city staff and the city attorney to explore lease options and return with a proposal at a future meeting.
“The overall consensus is on board and positive,” Mayor Rogers told him. “Let’s do it.”