After More Than a Century, Heating Failure Puts Adams Turners' Future at Risk
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| The boiler, referred to as 'the Beast,' is as old as the building itself, which was constructed in 1902. It started out burning coal, and was later switched to oil and then to gas. |
ADAMS, Mass. — For more than a century, generations have gathered for dances, community gatherings and bowling at Turn Hall, but that longtime tradition is now in jeopardy after the building's aging heating system failed.
The Adams community is known for rallying behind local people and organizations in times of need, and now Adams Turners is asking for that same support said Gail Burda, the group's financial secretary.
The boiler, referred to as "the Beast" by board members, is as old as the building itself, which was constructed in 1902. It started out burning coal, was later switched to oil and then to gas President Virginia Fuller said.
For several years, the nonprofit social club, a 501(c)7, has struggled with the aging system, with members periodically checking on it throughout the day during the winter to ensure it was still operating, she said.
Now, "the Beast" has reached the end of its life but the Adams Turners don't have the funding to replace it, prompting them to establish a GoFundMe.
At the time of writing, the GoFundMe has raised $1,750 and members have donated more than $2,500 toward the $30,000 needed to secure an additional $25,000 grant and $25,000 loan from American Turners, the national organization under which the club operates.
The nonprofit hopes to hire a contractor to install a multi-zone hydronic system, a project estimated to cost $81,443. The work would include new heating systems for the apartment, bar area, gym and bowling alley, along with new baseboards, gas lines, permits and other necessary fittings.
Without a new heating system, the nonprofit will be forced to close its doors for good, bringing more than a century of memories, traditions and gatherings within its walls to an end.
With 144 members, the Turners stay busy throughout the winter, when bowling and pitch leagues fill the building nearly every night. During league season, the bowling alley is booked throughout the week, while weekends bring parties, tournaments and other gatherings, members said.
The Adams Turners feel like one big extended family, members said.
Third-generation member Allison Atwell, remembers being a "Turn Hall kid" running around and watching her father, uncle, and grandfather bowl in the leagues there.
"I grew up here. I bowled in a kids league here. I'm now bowling here. And I hope that we can start a kids league back up," Atwell said.
"My son is 2, almost going to be 3. So, when he is of age, I hope to start a kids league back up here. There's a lot of members with younger kids, so hopefully we can restart that, which I think is really great."
Additionally, Adams Turners is one of the last large gathering spaces left in town, following the closure of several other venues over the years, board members said.
The Turners were one of many social and recreational clubs established around the turn of the last century, often by immigrants. The Turner movement, or Turnverein, was to promote physical culture, gymnastics, and community fellowship. The Adams chapter dates to 1887.
The hall hosts spaghetti suppers, children's Christmas parties, and other fundraising events to raise money for other organizations or people, while residents and organizations also regularly book the space for weddings, birthday parties and other events.
"I have had several people call to book parties …. Right now, I'm turning away people who want to book it because we don't know what's going to happen," said recording secretary Stephanie Gigliotti.
Tags: gofundme, historic buildings, HVAC, social club,
