The Giroux Hall is on the verge of closing its doors for good.

Paul Saindon, Reeve for the RM of Ste. Anne explains the Giroux UFM Cooperative, the group who owns the hall, can no longer afford to keep it open, "due to the lack of attendance to their bingo and they could not find people to rent the place anymore and have enough functions to keep it viable."

Saindon says the group decided to close the hall and put it up for sale.

He notes that puts the RM in a tough position because they have a joint water system with the hall, the Giroux fire station and the water supply for the skating rink as well as the rest of the park. "We've put some money towards that little park to bring it back up to operating standards," says Saindon.

At Wednesday's inaugural council meeting, council decided to help out the hall by paying the utility bill for the winter in order to keep the place warm and the water running. Saindon adds this option is a lot more affordable than starting the process of drilling wells at this time of year.

"Water is needed throughout the winter so it's better off to help them out with the utilities and hope for the best outcome in the spring," notes Saindon. Council will work with the group who owns the hall and re-evaluate in spring and Saindon hopes by then, the Giroux UFM will have come up with a plan.