Superior Elks get a fresh look

The Superior Elk’s Club 403 is getting a new look.

From renovations of the lower level where many a bride danced the first time with her new husband to new paint and a brighter look on the second-story level, the historic Masonic Temple is getting a spruce up.

And that includes making the historic 1908 three-story sandstone structure accessible for people with disabilities.

“Some of our members are getting older and need it,” said Exalter Ruler Dick Sislo.

The Club installed a lift to make reaching the lower and second story of the building accessible for people in wheelchair or with mobility limitations. While the club had a chair lift mounted to the staircase, it only allowed people access to the second floor, and not to the lower level frequently rented out for weddings and other social gatherings when not in use for Elk’s Club functions, such as the Veteran’s Dinner held earlier this year.

“It’s nice to have for weddings and stuff,” said Lecturing Knight Cris Crum.

“We have had instances here — and we do have a wheelchair here — one of the older gentleman kind of lost his knees and needed a wheelchair to get down,” Sislo said.

To pay for the improvements, the club raised more than $60,000. The goal was $90,000, Crum said.

“Everything we’ve done so far has been paid for,” Sislo said. Additional funds would be used to replace chairs and tables, and ongoing efforts to replace carpet.

Other than meetings, Sislo said there are not a lot of functions that go on in third floor, so the club doesn’t have plans to install an elevator. The lift does access the club itself and the lower level.

But that’s not all the work that’s been done to improve the club.

Work is ongoing in the lower level where frequently weddings and other functions are held.

The dance floor was restored and work is ongoing to seal and insulate unused windows to save on utility costs. Club members are busy repairing and repainting walls, and new lights have been installed — wrought iron and glass chandeliers have replaced the club’s old wagon wheel fixtures.

New tiles have been ordered for the ceilings.

“I thought we were going to lose the floor,” Crum said, noting she was impressed with the shiny new luster of the wood.

“We had virtually no labor costs,” Sislo said. Club members are volunteering their time to spruce up the club purchased by the Elk’s in the early 1980s.

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