Volga mayor talks about finished projects and future plans
By Willis Patenaude, Times-Register
There are a lot of new things on the horizon for Volga, as the city continues to modernize and enhance its broad appeal to residents and tourists alike. Mayor Carrie Taylor discussed some of these new projects and proposed plans in a recent interview.
One item on the agenda was the recent investment in purchasing a new tanker truck and bunker gear for the fire department, which was made possible by a USDA grant. The new tanker truck is important because the current one is past its prime and the city needs a more reliable vehicle that meets the entire mandatory rating requirements and is compliant with necessary standards. The current bunker gear also comes with an expiration date, as the material used to make it will start to decompose.
According to Taylor, the total cost will be around $130,000, with the grant funding 55 percent. The remaining 45 percent will be funded through a partnership between the city and fire department. Taylor said officials are currently negotiating a deal for the new tanker truck, which she hopes will be in operation by the end of summer. She also noted the public’s board support of the initiative.
Then there is the opera house, which is once again open and ready for use after extensive repairs were done during the last 10 years, including a restored balcony, resurfaced flooring, newly installed kitchen area, new heating unit, new roof and remodeled dressing rooms.
The opera house was damaged in the flood of 1999, and since that period, has shifted from private ownership to being taken over 10 years ago by Vested Citizens Taking Control (VCTC), which is classified as a charitable non-profit organization dedicated to supporting community development.
During that time, VCTC has dedicated itself to repairing and rebuilding the opera house through a series of grants, sponsorships, private donations and, in the words of Taylor, “sweat equity.”
The opera house is packed with a series of events for the upcoming summer months. One event is an adult prom night on May 22, with a bar and DJ. The Facebook page promotes the event thusly: “The high schoolers all had their fun! Now let’s have ours! Dig out those bridesmaid dresses, hit the thrift stores or check out the after-prom sales! Make those boys shine up their boots and get a hair cut! Because they’re taking you out!”
Another marquee event is a concert by country music singer Drew Baldridge on June 12, as part of his Baldridge & Bonfires Tour. Baldridge’s 2016 album, “Dirt on You,” peaked at number 11 on the U.S. country charts, and he has toured with the likes of Lee Brice and Cole Swindell. Baldridge also recently signed with SONY Records, so this might be your last chance to see him in such a small town setting.
The opera house is also available for hosting graduations and other family gatherings.
Another ongoing effort is Volga’s dike project, which secured funding in the form of a zero percent, $40,000 loan that is set to be paid back over the course of the next 20 years. The funding was needed to repair damage from the high water events of 2017 and 2018. The repairs included removing sediment, putting in new riprap, which is used to protect shoreline structures against scour and water, wave or ice erosion, and installing a new walking trail on top of the dike to make it easier to traverse. The above will protect the dike, make it more stable and prevent future failures.
As for a future project, the city acquired the old hardware building at the end of 2020 and wants to move both the library and city hall into it once the building is completely renovated.
The reason for the purchase and the relocation is to give both entities more space. Beyond that, the move will be able to provide more for the community in terms of what the library can offer. The larger space would mean the library could hold its summer reading program in the actual library, as well as create a STEM center, update the technology which makes students more competitive and add a reading corner for adults.
For city hall, it’s about space and creating more privacy to protect the vast amounts of confidential information contained in the building.
While some money has come in for the project by way of partnerships, Friends of the Library, private donors and grants, the $300,000 estimated cost and the price and availability of materials has slowed the process considerably.
In response, the city has been working with the Resource Conservation & Development and Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission for assistance in obtaining and securing funds to complete the project.
Taylor believes it is possible for the new building to be finished by 2022, but it is not probable given the financial investment and access to materials.
“The projects that are happening throughout the city of Volga are only possible with the dedication of the people in the respective groups. It is outstanding to work with a group of people who see the opportunities that our community has and strives for improvement and sustainability,” Taylor said.
