Skidmore upgrading Newton Hall

CODY THORN/DAILY FORUM
Newton Hall, located at 202 W. Elm St. in Skidmore, underwent recent renovations that included a new heating and cooling system and new appliances in the kitchen.

SKIDMORE, Mo. — Little by little, the City of Skidmore is making improvements to Newton Hall, located at 202 W. Elm St.

The community building isn’t used often Mayor Tracey Shewey said, but she hopes the improvements to the infrastructure of the building will help make it an appealing option.

Upgrades have been made to the heating and cooling system, as well as the kitchen.

“We want it to be more enjoyable to be up there,” Shewey said. “In the winter time, it was hard to heat it and in the summer time, it was very old and the air conditioning didn’t work all the time. It wasn’t a very enjoyable place to meet and we are trying to get it updated and make it a better option.”

Maryville-based First Choice Heating and Cooling provided the winning bid of $9,200 for a new heating and air conditioning system, which provides central air to the location.

The addition of that could factor into lowering the rental price for the building. The current cost is $75, which includes a $25 deposit that is returned if the building is left in good condition. Some of the cost of the rental was the heating and cooling bills, which should be lowered Shewey noted with the new system.

The kitchen has also seen upgrades with a new refrigerator, stove and microwave, thanks to help from the Community Betterment group — which meets at the location once a month.

Noah Diggs installed new linoleum to the floor as well in the kitchen.

Shewey said work is far from being complete. The next project is to repair the back room to make it better for storage and make it more efficient.

“Still more things to get done,” she said. “There is old carpet that needs to be replaced. There are several things we want to keep working on.