Square Dance Association Breaks Ground On Hall

The North Spokane Square Dance Association held a ground-breaking ceremony at the site of its future home on Saturday.

The group has been raising money since 1993 to pay for the land and construction costs.

Three years ago it bought 2.5 acres on North Freya for $65,000.

The dancers have raised $72,000 of the $300,000 it will take build the dance hall.

Don Ayers is the contractor for the project.

The building is expected to be finished in six months, said treasurer and long-time member Norm Gauthier.

To raise money, the square dancers have hosted hay rides, held raffles, and offered coffee and cookie sales at rest stops along Interstate 90.

“Every member is very active and very willing to help,” Gauthier said. “Each member made eight dozen cookies to hand out at rest stops.”

Between fund-raising activities the group - composed of five mini-clubs - has been cutting a rug in churches, banquet halls and basements of members’ home.

“Anything we can do to get in and dance,” Gauthier said.

Gauthier, 71, has been square dancing for more than 20 years. He said it keeps him young and healthy.

To dancer Donna Abernathy, a night of square dancing is like friendship put to music.

“You meet so many nice people,” Abernathy.

Sandy Hart started taking lessons last fall and she hasn’t stopped dancing since.

“It’s a lot of exercise and social time and it’s fairly inexpensive,” Hart said. “You meet a lot of people from grandchildren to their grandparents,” Hart said.

Lessons usually run about $3 per week and clubs charge about $3.50 for an evening of dancing.

Most of the members are seniors, but the group is open to all ages.