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The Stanley Community Association is asking for the public’s help in making repairs to the Stanley School Community Center.

While the structure needs multiple repairs, the current Go Fund Me account is specifically targeting much-needed roof repairs. The goal for the fundraiser is $5,000.

The current project is to repair damage done to a beam on the outside of the north wall, likely from previous roof leakage. Funds were raised previously to put a metal ridge cap over the length of the old gym to stop leaks, but those involved said they believe water from the old leak ran behind the walls, rotting the beam.

“If this isn’t addressed, the whole side of the building may collapse,” said Brad Bowman, a member of the Stanley Community Association Board of Trustees. “This has already caused issues with the windows. There are also a number of rotted boards across the exterior and broken window panes that need to be replaced so that moisture does not continue to infiltrate and cause additional issues.”

Repairing the beam is just one of the needs being addressed.

“We always have a number of projects that we want to complete at the historic building, but we have a serious structural issue that we have to deal with and we just don’t have the money,” Bowman said.

The trustees are working to renew the insurance that allows them to make the center available for public use. The cost for that insurance is approximately $1,500. They are also working to resolve an issue with water flowing under the building, which could potentially undermine the piers on the south side of the structure. The building also needs painted as well as other maintenance projects.

The trustees are working to become a 503c organization, allowing them to accept tax-deductible donations.

“ Every dime we raise gets put back into the building for the community to use to either repair it or keep the utilities connected,” Bowman said. “Our ultimate goal is to revitalize the center into a vibrant, modern facility that could once again be the heart of the community as it used to be in decades past. Unfortunately, the cost of restoring such an old structure and upgrading it with modern commercial appliances and kitchenware is well beyond our means, and the more modest goal of simply keeping the lights on and keeping the building standing and available for the community to use is also slipping away and will continue to do so without the support of the community and those who want to preserve this unique piece of history.”

Visit www.gofundme.com/f/help-fund-stanley-school to make a donation to the Stanley School Community Center, or contact members of the trustee board, which includes Bowman, Josh Sightler, Jimmy Grissett, Cliff Maddox, and David Elmore.