Burrell Lake Park’s Fisher Hall will get much needed face-lift

The décor at Lower Burrell’s Fisher Hall was getting a bit too rustic for the times, so a city councilwoman and the public works department are working on a face-lift for one of the city popular social halls.

Located in Burrell Lake Park, Fisher Hall is the go-to venue for showers, graduations and other small events for 75 people or less.

However, the rustic, rough cut wood paneling hasn’t aged well and has been difficult to clean and keep clean, said Rosina Albanese, the Lower Burrell councilwoman leading the renovation project.

“It looks like a dated cabin on the inside,” she said. “We want to brighten up the space and make it more modern.”

The $8,500 project will be handled by the city’s public works crew.

“We have some good skill sets with our crew,” said Todd Giammatteo, the city’s public works director

Renovations including installing corrugated steel to serve as wainscoting on the bottom half of the wall for a cleaner look and an easy-to-clean surface. Some of the rough-cut lumber will remain to retain a rustic feel.

A work crew will also install fiberglass-reinforced plastic wall panels in the bathrooms and kitchen for cleaner and cleanable surfaces, Giammatteo said.

New flooring is planned, too. Other work includes new countertops, cabinets and other improvements.

It’s a great time for the renovation. The city canceled many reservations for the hall because pandemic restrictions made it impractical because of the hall small size.

“We’re hoping as the vaccine rolls out and things become safe and get renovation down and start offering this community space,” Albanese said.

Work is beginning and could be complete in the spring, possibly early summer, she said.

“When pandemic restrictions are lifted, we would love to have visitors again,” Albanese said.