Until approximately two years ago, most of the American Legion Bradford-Sortwell-Wright Post 54 building on Bath Road could not be seen by passersby. It was obscured by shrubs, which were contributing to the building’s rot, Post 54 Cmdr. Bill Cossette said.
The building is now not only visible from the road, but passersby may notice new vinyl siding, a new roof, new windows, and new doors. The renovations, completed just recently, were part of a multi-year effort to remodel Post 54 and transform it into a building that can host community functions.
With the outside of the building nearing completion, new flooring on the interior is one of the few remaining projects at the post, Cossette said. “Our wives will be happy when we’re done,” he said.
Already, Post 54 hosted a wedding over the summer. Cossette said he would like to see more events such as that occurring at Post 54.
The ability to complete the flooring project largely depends on fundraising activity and how much Post 54 is able to take in through its bottle drive, he said.
Since the purchase of Post 54’s current building on Bath Road in 2005, it has been a work in progress, Cossette said.
Materials to complete the upgrades to Post 54’s exterior were purchased approximately four years ago with leftover money from the sale of Post 54’s old hall, Cossette said. Hancock Lumber, Ames Supply, and Brunswick Steel were extremely generous, Cossette said, and offered the post discounted materials.
American Legion members volunteered their time and energy to complete the upgrades to the building, Cossette said. “This was totally a volunteer effort,” he said.
Completing the renovations before the winter season “is a big relief,” Cossette said. He thanked 2nd Vice Cmdr. John Kennedy, Dennis Hill, and Jim Savage profusely for their work.
“Anyone who worked on this should be proud of it,” Kennedy said.