“If you rest, you rust!” Those were the words often uttered by a former boss. They’re also the words by which your Bismarck-Mandan Elks Lodge #1199 has been living as of late.
Thanks to sound capital management, a robust stock market, and smart planning, the Elks Home Association – the organization that oversees the building and grounds – has been able to make substantial investments to the Elks facilities in recent months. Some of the changes you have seen, some you haven’t seen, and others you will literally “feel.”
Outside changes include beautiful new landscaping around the building; most notably on the west side, surrounding the patio. Other, subtler changes include new wooden fencing on the north side, two new sets of metal stairs on the south deck, and new concrete in the driveway. Future outside work will include new paint/stain on the wood siding and additional landscaping on the east side.
Inside the club, members and their guests are greeted with a spacious main floor entryway, complete with new paint, wall coverings, furnishings, a fireplace, and additional space to view our yearly grand prize raffle vehicle. The dining room saw improvements in new windows and window coverings, the lower lounge was outfitted with new tap beer system, and on the Lodge floor, new lighting was installed on the steps. Upstairs in the TR Bar, new chairs fill the floor and three new flat screens can be seen on the walls. Additionally, new floor coverings can be found just inside the TR Bar’s east side keyed entrance.
Changes and updates aimed at creating a more efficient, safe, and secure working environment for Elks team members include a new dishwashing system, a secure back door, and new and updated security cameras on the inside and outside of the building.
But the most expensive investment of all will be something members will only feel: an overhaul of the building’s heating, ventilation, and cooling system. Work that has been and will continue to be done will ensure the safe and efficient operation of an HVAC system that will be 50 years old next year. The main objective in this project is for members, guests, and Elks team members to always be comfortable, no matter the room, the size of the crowd, or the time of year.
The Elks Home Association, which is made up of 16 Lodge Officers, Trustees, and members at-large, is the organization responsible for the building and grounds. Funding for these projects comes from rent paid to the Association by the club and the lodge. On a day-to-day basis, it is managed by the 5-member Board of Trustees.
As the Trustees continue to work on the HVAC changes, plans are being considered that will result in additional changes to the Lodge floor and the dining room. Changes that will help Bismarck-Mandan Lodge #1199 continue toward its vision: “To be the premier Elks Lodge which all other Elks Lodges strive to emulate.”
It is my sad duty to announce the death of Patrick O’Brien, Verlyn Nelson and Al Bortke. May their virtues be written on the tablets of love and memory.