Uplifting project nearly complete

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Knox United Church in Rainy River is asking members of its church, the community, to “Give United a Lift!”
For about the last 20 years the church, located at the corner of Third St. and Broadway Ave., has been receiving donations for some sort of a solution to one of its main problems.... accessibility.
With an aging population and Rainy River having one of the largest number of senior citizens per capita in the region, stairs that were once easy to climb up or down have become more and more an obstacle.
“It has been an ongoing wish for access for those who find stairs hard to handle,” said church member Larry Armstrong. “Over a period of time, dating back to at least the early 1990s, people have been making memorial donations in hopes either a ramp or some other solution could be constructed.”
With a sizable donation last year, the church began looking at options. “A ramp would have to be a wrap around based on codes for ramps. It would still be difficult for some people to get access using a ramp, so we looked at a lift.”
Armstrong said fellow church member Brent Anderson got the ball rolling by contacting all the right people. Thompson Access Solutions (TAS) of Thunder Bay was hired to oversee the project. They in turn lined up Saulteux Engineering who did the feasibility study. Eventually it was let for tender and local contractor Greg Lundgren did the construction and TAS then installed the lift.
The lift is called a Genesis Vertical Lift and stops at three points. People can board it at either the basement, ground or main floor and ride to any of the other aforementioned points.
The overall cost of the project has been estimated at about $80,000. Armstrong said that the church felt that if it could raise $40,000 in donations from outside the church, that they would be able to match those funds. There have been several donations made by people who bequeathed portions of their estates to the church. One such donation was made by the late Ruth Michie who left them $15,000 with the condition that the principal could not be touched for 20 years. “We are only a couple of years away from that and I think that this (project) would be a fitting tribute to Ruth,” said Armstrong.
On Sunday the church held a dinner which sold out. “We raised about $1,600 for the project Sunday,” said Armstrong. “It is a testament to how strong the support is in the community for what we do at the church.”
He noted that they have received numerous donations from current, former members and are even getting donations from children of former family members. “People that feel they have a connection to the church have helped the congregation become energized with their support!”
At present they have reached about $50,000 towards their goal. The fund-raising efforts are still ongoing and donations for pledges can be made by calling Armstrong at 807-852-3243 or Anne Mailloux at 807-852-3691.
The lift was installed last week by TAS. Now Lundgren has to complete his work and then TAS will make sure all components of the project are ready for final inspection. Armstrong is optimistic that could take place as soon as December. Once it passes, the church will have a dedication service and the lift will provide access for all to the church.
“It has been very uplifting for our spirits to see the support and continued support for this project,” said Armstrong.