Memorial Hall’s return to service in 2025 marked the culmination of nearly a decade of planning, years of construction and a renewed role for one of Jim Thorpe’s most recognizable community buildings.

By October, borough officials formally rededicated the historic structure and opened a new municipal complex inside it, consolidating borough administration, police operations and community space under one roof for the first time in borough history. The project also included construction of a new public services building on West Broadway and extensive upgrades to Memorial Park.

After years of setbacks, rising costs and uncertainty, borough leaders gathered with state and federal officials to cut the ribbon and reopen the building to the public.

“This is quite a day of celebration for the borough and its residents,” borough council President Greg Strubinger said during the October rededication ceremony. “There’s a rich history here, and it’s important that we honor it as we move forward.”

All offices together

The completed project transformed Memorial Hall into a combined borough office, police department and community event space. Borough staff now occupy a portion of the top floor, while the remaining space is reserved for public use. The Jim Thorpe Police Department moved into the lower level, giving the department a permanent home within the municipal complex.

“It feels great,” Strubinger said in September when council held its first meeting in the renovated hall. “The residents now have a facility that’s going to carry us forward. We’ll never need to expand again. For most of the borough’s 71-year history, we rented buildings. In my time on council, we’ve met in at least four different locations. Now, everything is under one roof.”

The full scope of the work cost nearly $10 million. Contracts were awarded in September 2023, with Bognet Construction handling general construction for just over $3 million. Additional contracts went to JBM Mechanical for mechanical work, Reading Mechanical for plumbing and G.R. Noto Electrical Instruction for electrical services.

Funding came from a combination of sources. The borough secured $4.74 million in long-term financing through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and received $3.96 million in federal appropriations, with assistance from U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser and former U.S. Sen. Bob Casey. Interim construction loans were provided by Jim Thorpe National Bank and John Trust Company.

10 years later

The effort to renovate Memorial Hall began long before construction crews arrived.

“We started this in 2016 but couldn’t get it off the ground before the pandemic,” Strubinger said. “Here we are, almost 10 years later, finally getting into the building.”

The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically altered the project’s trajectory. Construction costs escalated rapidly, threatening to derail the plans altogether.

“Overnight, the cost doubled,” Strubinger said during the October ceremony. “It went from about $5 million to nearly $10 million, and it was out of reach for the borough to fund through taxes.”

Federal grants and financing ultimately allowed the project to move forward. Strubinger said without that assistance, the borough could not have asked residents to absorb the cost.

“We were fortunate to receive HUD and USDA grants,” he said in September. “Without those grants, the project never would have happened. We couldn’t have gone to taxpayers and asked for $5 million.”

Volunteers started it all

While the building’s future was uncertain at times, its past has long been woven into the community’s history.

Memorial Hall was originally constructed in 1983 by the Memorial Park Commission, a volunteer group of 21 residents who raised approximately $1 million to build a large community gathering space. At the time, the hall could accommodate up to 800 people, making it one of the largest venues in the region.

“Through the hard work and dedication to the youth of our community, the park commission tirelessly raised funds to build and maintain the facility,” Strubinger said. “If it wasn’t for their efforts, we wouldn’t be here today.”

For decades, the hall hosted wedding receptions, bingo nights, festivals and civic events. A fire in 1992 caused significant damage, but the building was repaired and expanded. As volunteer involvement declined in the 1990s, the borough assumed responsibility for maintenance and operations.

By the mid-2010s, aging infrastructure and limited office space prompted officials to begin planning for a comprehensive renovation that could meet modern needs.

Community benefit

The return of public events was also a focal point of the project. The borough committed to reopening the hall as a community gathering space, particularly for veterans.

“We promised to dedicate this hall space back to the community,” Strubinger said. “Our first veterans event as held in November. For years, the volunteers who organize the annual Thanksgiving dinner for veterans had trouble finding a venue. Now they’ll have a permanent home here.”

Future uses discussed by borough leaders include senior programs, youth activities and church or civic breakfasts.

“We’re offering the space, but the borough can’t run all the events,” Strubinger said. “We hope community members will step up and start groups.”

The hall will also play a major role in upcoming America250 celebrations in 2026.

State and federal officials attending the rededication praised the project as an example of cooperation across government levels.

“When I look at the success here, it’s proof that this is a community that gets things done,” state Sen. David Argall said. “This project is a perfect example of teamwork at the federal, state, and local level.”

Argall pointed to improvements planned for Memorial Park, including new play areas, lighting, basketball courts and a walking trail.

Carbon County Commissioner and former Jim Thorpe Mayor Mike Sofranko, who served 16 years on council and 14 as mayor, said the finished building exceeded expectations.

“When you walk in here, you have to say, ‘Wow,’ ” Sofranko said. “It serves the community today, tomorrow and 50 years from now.”