2025 Message to the
Walker Memorial Hall Community

2025 has a been a quiet year in terms of outreach to the community at large.   This has been in large part due to transition of the focus of construction from exterior projects to interior projects.    This has been good news as a measure of progress on the renovation project as a whole, but not so good since it meant the interior has looked like – well, a construction site!  

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With the dust, tools, equipment, and building materials, the interior of the Hall has been a mess and not really suitable for even restricted use by the public.   However, we feel we have made a lot of important progress, and now can see a clear road to being an accessible, bathroom- and kitchen-equipped venue in the 2026 season.  (See some pictures here.) A highlights list of significant progress in 2025 includes: 

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• Clearing, filling, and grading of the parking area behind the Hall;

• Addition of a bathroom in the southeast corner of the dining hall;

• Restructuring of kitchen and hallway walls to make the back entrance accessible;

• Gutting and completely renovating the kitchen with new cabinets, soapstone countertops, and modern appliances;

• Completing ceiling repairs, painting, and wood refinishing in the theater;

• Procurement of ~80 stacking chairs (donated by the Bridgton Presbyterian church) for use as theater seating; and more...  

 

There is still a lot to do:

 

• Construct ramp, lift, and porch for accessible entrance;

• Refurbishing and reconditioning floors, doors, interior trim, and windows;

• Installation of septic system;

• Addressing HVAC needs;

• Installation of a media center; etc. 

 

The need for various construction projects will doubtless be endless, but we are proud of the progress we have made thus far on this initial phase – transforming this beautiful old Victorian building into a viable and useful venue in the 21st century.

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The annual meeting of Walker Memorial Hall corporation was held on Oct 7, 2025 at the Hall.  Due the construction-site condition of the building, the meeting was not advertised for public attendance.  (Hopefully, this was a one-time occurrence.)  The main event was the (re)election of corporate Officers and Directors.  For a variety of reasons, including health issues, family obligations, and general stress reduction, Ken Abbott removed himself from consideration for reelection as President and was replaced by Roger Lowell.   Roger has decades of experience as former Trustee of Walker Memorial Hall, and a stint as President of the corporation when it was first established.   The full roster of Officers for 2026 is: 

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President: Roger Lowell
Vice President: Christine Baillargeon
Treasurer: Norm Nicholson
Assistant Treasurer: Jim Mains
Secretary: Laurie Chalmers

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The existing Board of Directors was re-elected without change. 

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Ken wishes to thank the many volunteers and supporters who supported him and the Hall over the past years, and to remind everyone that he is still active and available as a Director.  

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Roger is enthusiastic about the progress on the renovation projects and looks forward to providing the leadership to bring it to fruition.

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Best wishes to all the supporters of Walker Memorial Hall.  We will see you in the Hall in the 2026 season!

 

Ken Abbott (outgoing President)

Roger Lowell (incoming President)