RECLUSE -- This small, close-knit town typically presents a postcard view of the American West: slow-paced, ranch-style living.

But a debate in the unincorporated northeastern Wyoming community is threatening to divide neighbors and friends.

The growing rift centers on the restoration of the Recluse Community Hall, which was built in 1934 with the hard work and determination of area residents. It was constructed with logs from the Powder River Breaks, received funding from the Works Progress Administration and received a boost from the Pleasant Hour Club's commitment. The hall has served as a community meeting place and a witness to weddings, funerals and dances among many other events.

Over time, the hall has been updated, but five years ago the Recluse Community Trust was established to raise funds to restore and enhance the structure. The mission is clear on the trust's Web site at http://reclusetrust.org: "To preserve, renovate and maintain the historic Recluse Hall for the public benefit and use of the community, and for the encouragement of educational, charitable and literary activities."

But after five years of fundraising, progress and setbacks, the hall's future remains unknown -- even though construction had been scheduled to begin just a few weeks ago.

"We started in on the project and since then we've had lots of hell," said Sue Wallis, a Recluse Community Trust board member and a state representative.

The trust raised $127,000 and secured a $300,000 Community Development Block Grant from the Wyoming Business Council, but the project has been delayed numerous times because of difficulty securing contractors and rising construction costs.

And as the costs began to increase, so did the debate within the community.

Addressing community needs

The original reconstruction plans included the addition of restrooms, a fully functioning kitchen, a veranda and other amenities. But as more issues with the hall were discovered, including possible foundation problems, some of the planned renovations were either scaled back or eliminated.

"We started downsizing the project to keep up with the budget," said Fred Oedekoven, whose family donated the land and the community hall to the Pleasant Hour Club in 1997, which then donated both to the Recluse Community Trust. "As we got deeper and deeper in the project, we started cutting portions of the design. Our whole family was behind the project, but when cost estimates started increasing it didn't look like a commonsense thing to do."

On Nov. 11, after receiving community input through a survey, the Recluse Community Trust voted 11-4 to forgo the restoration project and instead move forward with a new building adjacent to the Recluse Community Hall.

"To put a community hall there would add to the community events already taking place there," said Marilyn Mackey, president of the Recluse Community Trust.

While the building's history is important, many area residents think a newer, larger building is required to meet the growing community's needs. A committee is also creating options for ways to incorporate portions of the old building.

"The trust itself understands the history of the building and the importance to the community," Mackey said. "But the old hall itself is not big enough to hold large community events."

Many gatherings, including next week's community Thanksgiving dinner, have been moved to the Recluse School, where the facilities are better equipped to meet a large group's needs.

The new building also comes at a reduced cost estimate of about $250,000. However, the Recluse Community Trust will have to forfeit the Business Council grant, which was specifically awarded for the renovation of the old hall. Additionally, the money raised so far has been earmarked for the restoration project. The board is in the process of writing a letter to all donors explaining the situation and asking for their continued support despite the change in plans.

"Our hope is that many of them will see the benefit and stick with us," Mackey said.

With additional fundraising and continued support of donors, Mackey is hopeful that a new building will be finished by next fall.

Saving history

While the Recluse Community Trust has decided to construct a new building, other community members remain committed to the restoration project. Wallis is among those who have created the Powder River Breaks Foundation in hopes that the grant can be transferred to that organization and the restoration can move forward.

"The Recluse Community Trust has made its decision; we are putting the framework together so we have a way to move forward," Wallis said. "The responsibility for completing the grant would transfer from the Recluse Community Trust to the Powder River Breaks Foundation."

Because the hall is a central part of the community and an integral part of Recluse's history, Wallis believes it is imperative that the hall be restored and enhanced.

"It is an irreplaceable piece of our community history," Wallis said. "This is a building that has been a vibrant part of our community since 1934, since they built it. We wanted to finish it just like they did in 1934."

The foundation's plans include relocating the building to a site to be determined and applying for additional grant money. It hopes the project will be completed by June 30, the deadline set for the use of the grant.

"Some of my earliest memories happened at the hall," Wallis said. "My passion has always been to save this hall. For me and my family and our neighbors, this is a matter of honor to us."

Creating a divide

As the restoration project has continued and generated further debate, a divide has emerged between those who want to restore the old hall and those who want to move forward with a new building.

"We've always been a close community but, honestly, this has created hard feelings," Wallis said. "I pray we'll be able to come together as a community again."

And while some believe there is room for both buildings, those for the new building and those supporting the renovation agree they want what's best for the community.

"I'd rather see us work together on how we can go forward," Mackey said. "I hoped we could complete it and folks who are friends and neighbors can still be friends and neighbors."

The Recluse Community Trust will meet at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the Recluse School to discuss future plans. The meeting is open to the public.

On the Web

For more information on the Recluse community halls projects, go to:

* http://savethereclusehall.org

* (On Facebook) http://apps.facebook.com/causes/386136

* http://reclusetrust.org