Help!

Port Aransas’ Community Center will take a big step toward being refurbished on Saturday, Jan. 12, and it needs your help.

Saturday has been declared a work day. Members of the Port Aransas Boatmen Inc. will gather to begin yanking the old siding and roof overhangs off the building, and they’re looking for volunteers.

Boatmen will begin the work at 8 a.m. Saturday.

Since the 1930s Boatmen have played a key role in the Community Center including choosing the location, obtaining the property and doing the construction in the late 1940s.

The labor and spirit of the Boatmen are ingrained in the building. But it is, after all, a “community center,” and since it was built the building has seen virtually every kind of event except a fishing tournament – and before the Civic Center was constructed, even fishing tournament finales were under the community center’s roof.

That’s why Boatmen are asking anybody with a pry bar or hammer to come help restore the building to its original condition.

General contractor Tom Dasch, who is overseeing the project, said replacement of rotted and damaged pilings has been completed. Workers began this week redoing the flooring.

“We need to get the siding and overhangs off so we can see what kind of work needs to be done on the walls,” Dasch said. “I know there will be problems there.”

The city is paying for materials for the restoration, with the expectation that residents will pitch in to help do the work that doesn’t have to be done by contractors. City Building Official Joe Lamb estimated it could cost as much as $263,000 if contractors had to be called in for all the work, but he said if volunteer labor is available, that could pare as much as $36,000 off that figure.

For instance, Lamb figured it would cost between $57,000 and $63,000 to have a contractor take the siding off the building. With volunteers, Lamb estimated the cost to be $20,000.

Besides tearing off the siding, volunteers will be asked to help remodel the building’s kitchen, restrooms and interior and install insulation in the attic.

Those not able to do hard labor can help with one of several small projects.

“Join us in support of this important project. Come and bring a friend,” said Boatmen spokesman Michael Miglini.

“It is very important to your fellow community members and the Boatmen for the preservation of this part of our history,” he said.

Port Aransas Boatmen Inc. is a non-profit organization, made up of charter boat owners and operators dedicated to providing services to the community of Port Aransas in the form of scholarships and youth related activities.

Community participation in Boatmen sponsored events such as the annual Deep Sea Roundup makes these services possible.

For more information, contact Miglini at (361) 288-2723 or by e-mail at mmiglini@hotmail.com.

South Jetty staff writer Pam Greene contributed to this story.