LENDING A HAND — Local representatives to the West Virginia Legislature presented state funds they secured for improvements to the Follansbee Community House. On hand for the presentation Tuesday were, from left, Trevor Barnhart, a member of a volunteer committee raising funds for the effort; City Manager Chris Manack-Stover; 3rd Ward Councilman Nick Cekinovich, who heads the committee; Mayor Scott McMahon; state Del. Jimmy Willis, R-Brooke; state Sen. Laura Wakim Chapman, R-Wheeling; and Councilman at large John Schwertfeger. State Sen. Ryan Weld, R-Wellsburg, also has secured funds for the Community House. -- Warren Scott

FOLLANSBEE — Efforts to refurbish the Follansbee Community House have received a large boost from local representatives to the West Virginia State Legislature.

On Tuesday, city officials and members of a volunteer committee formed to raise funds for improvements to the rental hall near Follansbee Park accepted Local Economic Development Assistance funds secured by state Del. Jimmy Willis, R-Brooke, and state Sen. Laura Wakim Chapman, R-Wheeling.

State Sen. Ryan Weld, R-Brooke, has committed funds also, resulting in a total of $24,000 to be received for the effort.

Third Ward Councilman Nick Cekinovich heads a volunteer committee with an eye on projects including the installation of new doors, ceiling tile and interior lights for the building, which has been rented for many private celebrations and used for many community events.

“Since I was elected to council, it’s been my personal mission to get the Community House fixed up,” he said.

Mayor Scott McMahon said of news of the state funding, “This is really exciting. It’s the city working with our state legislators.”

McMahon said he and other city officials have been working to maintain communication with the state legislators to ensure they are aware of the city’s needs.

“They’ve been very helpful,” he said.

McMahon said tiles for the hall’s ceiling and floor are likely to be the first priority.

Cekinovich said long-term goals include replacing the overhang at the hall’s entrance and the kitchen stove.

In the past, city officials have discussed creating a handicap-accessible entrance that doesn’t lead through the kitchen.

The building was constructed in 1980, replacing a two-story structure built at the site in the 1930s that had been destroyed by a fire.

Cekinovich said the Community House committee hopes to raise $50,000 and has netted about $4,300 from fundraisers and donations, including $1,500 from Twyla Mezan, owner of the Follansbee McDonald’s, and $1,000 from the Brooke County Area Chamber of Commerce.

A portion of proceeds received by the Texas Roadhouse also has gone to the Community House project.

The group has held fundraisers, the latest being a golf scramble to be held Saturday at Highland Springs Golf Course.

City Manager Chris Manack-Stover, who also is on the committee, said the response has been good, with 18 four-player teams registered for the event while 40 supporters have stepped forward to sponsor holes.