Legion renovation project 'likely' to continue

Plans to renovate the Clearwater American Legion building will continue.

On Sunday, Sons of the American Legion members Tom Thiele and Fred Thiele told a group of approximately 30 community members that pledges for fundraising have been coming in.

“Contributions have been really good,” Fred Thiele said.

Clearwater Chamber of Commerce donated $100,000 and the Clearwater Sons of the American Legion kicked in $25,000, in addition to pledges for the project. Thiele estimated approximately $250,000 has been pledged.

The Sons of the Legion will meet to make a decision.

“In my opinion, it likely will be a go. I’m really proud of the people in Clearwater. We’ve got a lot of nice donations, we still have a ways to go to get to the top, but we’re almost there,” Fred Thiele said.

A letter was sent to Clearwater Public School alumni through the Class of 1999. A letter is in the works for graduates between 2000 and 2020.

“A lot of people who graduated sent money,” Tom Thiele said.

A suggestion was made to establish a Venmo account for the Sons of Clearwater, which is “a spinoff of the Sons of the Legion” when the former hardware store was acquired and eventually, the Clearwater Cafe property. The account will be set up soon.

Fred Thiele said the organization would like to have pledges turned in as soon as possible so construction could begin in late January.

Organizers said they hope they get volunteers to assist with tearing down the inside of the current structure.

Fred Thiele said storage is in the works for Legion items, including flags, uniforms and photographs, cabinets that may be reused in the new facility, tables and chairs.

Once the Sons of the Legion give final approval, a committee of Legion and Sons members will be formed to review blueprints. That information will be presented to the Legion for approval.

Tom Thiele said one goal is to utilize local contractors for finish work.

Once approved, Sons of the Legion members will need to prep the former cafe building for the organization’s twice-monthly wing night.

“We want to continue our wing night,” Fred Thiele said.

To pledge or make a donation, contact Tom Thiele, Fred Thiele or Kelly Kerkman.