After 51 years serving the community, the Hay River Elks are preparing to fold the club, perhaps permanently.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 kind of sad that itSA国际影视传媒檚 coming to an end because, honestly, that wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 even on our radar even up to a year ago,SA国际影视传媒� said president Gerard Carroll, while sitting in the Elks lodge in the lower level of the Godwin Mall.

Carroll said he had believed that the issues facing the club were just stumbling blocks that could be overcome.

However, now the Elks will be talking to the Grand Lodge of the Elks for Canada about closing the lodge in Hay River or possibly suspending its charter.

SA国际影视传媒淲hat weSA国际影视传媒檙e trying to do is, instead of just shutting down and making it final, weSA国际影视传媒檙e just going to suspend it,SA国际影视传媒� said Carroll. SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e trying to, weSA国际影视传媒檙e not saying itSA国际影视传媒檚 going to be given us. It depends on them and I donSA国际影视传媒檛 know if theySA国际影视传媒檝e gone through that type of process before because thereSA国际影视传媒檚 lodges closing all across Canada. I donSA国际影视传媒檛 know if theySA国际影视传媒檙e being suspended just for now or if theySA国际影视传媒檙e just shutting their doors and dissolving the charter.SA国际影视传媒�

Whatever the decision, Lodge #534 SA国际影视传媒� which formed in 1970 SA国际影视传媒� will be closing for the foreseeable future.

Carroll said three major issues are leading to the clubSA国际影视传媒檚 closure.

The main problem is a declining number of members.

SA国际影视传媒淪ome of our members have retired and moved away,SA国际影视传媒� Carroll explained. SA国际影视传媒淭heySA国际影视传媒檙e sort of like members at large, but theySA国际影视传媒檙e out of town. When theySA国际影视传媒檙e in town they do help us. We just donSA国际影视传媒檛 have the manpower, anymore. ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 only three of us left.SA国际影视传媒�

At its height, the Hay River Elks had well over 100 members.

Carroll noted falling membership numbers is occurring at Elks Clubs across Canada.

SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 so many lodges have closed,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e not getting volunteers anymore. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 completely changed. The membership is getting older.SA国际影视传媒�

Carroll pointed out the club had about a dozen members two or three years ago.

SA国际影视传媒淏ut then they just disappeared,SA国际影视传媒� he said, estimating that a minimum of seven or eight members are required for a functioning club.

Carroll said another significant factor is that revenue for the club has dried up, largely because of the March 2019 fire at the Mackenzie Place high-rise, which closed the building and removed the ElksSA国际影视传媒� bingo from cable and satellite television.

SA国际影视传媒淥n the 17th floor, we had our own little room where we used to call TV bingo and we had Channel 649 from Bell and we had Channel 5, the Green Screen of the community channel,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淲e couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 get up there to have bingo because the building was closed.SA国际影视传媒�

After TV, the Elks tried radio bingo, but Carroll noted the demographic for bingo was older and they were comfortable with TV bingo, and then the radio station became unavailable.

The third factor was restrictions for Covid-19.

SA国际影视传媒淲e had to shut down and wait for a while, and we had no income coming in,SA国际影视传媒� said Carroll.

About a half-dozen years ago, the Elks were putting between $95,000 and $100,000 of its fundraising back into the community.

Now, it has the space for its lodge rented until the end of June, when it will have to remove all its flags, trophies, banners, medals and various other memorabilia.

Some of it will be donated to various people, while Carroll also hopes that other items may end up at the Hay River Heritage Centre for a display on the legacy of the Elks in Hay River.

That legacy is impressive, but Carroll puts one thing at the top of a long list.

SA国际影视传媒淭he golf club would be our legacy, because we built that place,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭he original one burnt down and we rebuilt that.SA国际影视传媒�

Another notable accomplishment was the Tri-Service Park, a project with the Lions Club and Kiwanis Club, two other service organizations which no longer exist in Hay River.

Then there was the ElksSA国际影视传媒� support for soccer, minor hockey, curling, Spook-A-Rama, Girl Guides, school sports, academic awards, healthcare, seniors, Lights On, the library and much more.

Asked who will replace all that support to the community, Carroll replied, SA国际影视传媒淚 donSA国际影视传媒檛 know.SA国际影视传媒�

Carroll has been president for 18 months and a member of the club for over 20 years.

ItSA国际影视传媒檚 hard to believe that the lodge is closing, he said. SA国际影视传媒淭he people that were here, weSA国际影视传媒檙e friends. We got to know each other. A lot of people I met here through the Elks.SA国际影视传媒�

Personally, Carroll intends to maintain links with the Elks by joining the club in Yellowknife as a member at large.