Temple’s Million Dollar Baby

The Lottie and Arthur Temple Civic Center will be getting some reconstructive surgery and a facelift soon, thanks to a $ 1 million grant from the T.L.L. Temple Foundation.

“Almost all of the upgrades and repairs will be to the interior of the building,” said Crystal Williams, civic center director. “It (repairs) won’t affect any events. We should be able to work around all the planned events.”

Among the upgrades are painting the interior, new flooring for the stage and the lobby, a new stove and island workstation in the kitchen, a new HVAC system and new sound system and lighting, Williams said.

“We’ll be more energy-efficient,” Williams said of the HVAC and lighting improvements. “Also, we’ll have ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)-accessible entries. New curtains will meet the fire codes and we’ll have a new fire sprinkler system.”

Other changes the community will see include a revamped lobby that will be more attractive as a reception area, Williams said.

“We’re very excited,” she said. “We’re very, very grateful to the T.L.L. Temple Foundation.”

Williams said construction should begin in February 2010, with a plan to complete the projects in time for Diboll Day events in September 2010.

City Council still needs to officially accept the grant and to advertise for contractors, but the formality will be handled during the next council meeting, scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 3, at City Hall, 400 Kenley St. in Diboll. The November meeting was rescheduled from its usual night to Nov. 23, but a quorum could not be met due personal reasons for several members.

A resolution is ready to be signed by Mayor Bill Brown, which reads, “The City of Diboll is appreciative and accepts the generous T.L.L. Temple Foundation grant for the updating and renovation of the Lottie & Arthur Temple Civic Center.”