The Berkshire Community Association (BCA) was originally organized in 1999 as the Berkshire Resident Action Group
 
Incorporated as NYS Not - for - Profit - 2000
 
Obtained IRS tax exempt status (501 c 3) -  2001
 
Original Projects (all funded by grants & donations):       

• Town Welcome signs and Town Logo           
• Lighted Christmas Decorations
• Ballfield Renovation
• Flagpoles, Flags and Shrubbery at Town Hall
• Library Grounds Improvements - Sidewalks, Pedestrian Lighting, Bench, Driveway, Landscaping 2004 - 2005

Community Hall Restoration

2005
- Began Planning
- Changed name to Berkshire Community Association (BCA)

2006
- Planning, Leased the Hall from the Fire District, Fundraising, Grant Writing, New Electric Service.
 
2007
- Received $5000. matching grant from the Mildred Faulkner Truman Foundation for restoration of original entrances to the Community Hall. Renovation includes new and wider doors and covered decks. Matching funds came mostly from local individual and business donations with about $1600 from BCA. Completed March 2008.
           
- Awarded $10,000. by the Community Foundation of South Central New York. Funds used for repair and strengthening of foundation, exterior drainage and interior structural repairs. Completed October 2007.
           
- Received $15,000. from the State of New York through State Senator Libous to be used for roof and siding repair and painting, basement window replacements, west wall and damaged floor repair, electric wiring upgrade and south entrance improvements. Completed August, 2008.
 
- A private individual, formerly a Town of Berkshire resident, donated $10,000.  toward the renovation/restoration of the Community Hall in November of 2007.  These funds, which were donated without restriction, have been used to supplement grant monies where needed and for operating funds such as utilities and insurance.
 
2008
- The New York State Council on the Arts awarded BCA a $5,000. grant to design a professional architectural plan for the Village Green Area, which encompasses the library, Community Hall and fire station as well as surrounding green space owned by the Berkshire Fire District. The study  included an option for the footprint of a potentially new fire station. Completed November 2008.
 
- BCA is working with the Town of Berkshire to acquire sidewalks along the road frontage near the Community Hall. The Town, through Senator Libous' office, has received notification of a grant of $50,000. from New York State  Multi-Modal Improvement Funds to be used for sidewalk improvements in the hamlet area.
 
- Certificate of Occupancy for the upper level of the Hall acquired August 2008.
 
2009
- Our next goal is an addition to the building on the southwest corner. This addition would become the main entranceway for both levels, house a lift to provide complete handicap access, restroom facilities and perhaps a small warming kitchen. McElwain Engineering has provided us with professional drawings. This will be an expensive venture for the restrooms will require a well and septic system. We will presently be seeking funding, primarily through grants, although we certainly welcome any donations. We hope to start construction this year.
 
Volunteers:  The Hall restoration effort has been extremely successful so far. While grants and donations were essential for the costly repairs and renovations, so too were the tireless efforts of many volunteers who provided both managerial planning and guidance as well as hundreds of hours of hands on labor. Some of the major volunteer accomplishments include: Historical research of the building, its founders and Community benefits, all published in an extremely professional pamphlet; Purging of the upper level and gutting the basement to make possible the engineering studies required to make the building structurally sound; The engineering work itself to shore up the foundation and structure, rebuild the entrances and design a proposed west wing; Installation of an entirely new electrical entrance and rewiring most of the building, and extensive cleaning efforts in the gym area.
 
NOW 
The upper level including the stage and gym space are currently usable. Granted, there are limitations such as the lack of heat, restrooms and furnishings, but we can take temporary measures to overcome these shortcomings and make the facility usable. We are not yet in a position to make the Hall a turnkey operation for whatever activity may come along. However if you have a need and think that you might be able to use the Community Hall for some activity, BCA will help in any way we can to make your event(s) happen. Some possibilities include: youth and sporting endeavors such as basketball, volleyball, pickle ball and badminton, meetings, musical events, even dances.

This grand, historic facility belongs to the Community and we hope that one day we can completely restore its splendor and social significance. But we will need all the help we can get - not only financial, but volunteers of all types to assist in the continuing renovation/restoration, event planning and supervision of activities, so that Berkshire can once again appreciate the treasure that is the BERKSHIRE COMMUNITY HALL.