Improvements made to Carlyle Memorial Hall

January 19, 2026, 10:52 am
Stephanie Zoer

The Carlyle Memorial Hall is a place were many functions have been held and will be held in the future after some key improvements were made recently.

In a move applauded by community members and accessibility advocates alike, the Carlyle Memorial Hall has completed significant improvements to its facilities, highlighted by the installation of a new accessible ramp. The upgrades were done to make the hall more inclusive and user friendly, address long-standing accessibility concerns and opening the venue to a wider range of visitors.

For years, the Carlyle Memorial Hall has served as a hub for community events, ranging from weddings and anniversaries to meetings and local celebrations. However, the entrance on the west side of the building was a challenge for participants to fully access.

The Memorial Hall is a beloved town asset, and during a Recreation and Culture Feasibility Study survey, 42 percent of respondents believed that the hall should be more readily available or enhanced, with accessibility being noted as a top priority. In 2025, Carlyle town council approved some of the needed renovations, starting with the ramp.

Ready To Go Solutions was the appointed contractor and upon further review it was determined that the space on the west side of the building by the main doors was not enough space to house a proper accessible ramp.

On the south side of the hall, a new and improved accessible ramp was added to the Carlyle Memorial hall.

The front entrance had the temporary ramp removed and new concrete stairs took its place and the new ramp was placed on the south side of the building, adding a new entrance. The new entrance included the installation of a wheelchair accessible ramp with railings, and a new wider door with a power door opener installed.

Once the project was underway, the town noticed a few other issues that needed repair to extend the life span of the hall. The building in the southwest corner required some structural reinforcement, to accommodate the installation and removing of the doors to accommodate the new entrance inside.

During the span of the project, new insulation was added where needed, drainage upgrades and sealing measures were made to ensure the substructure would have a longer life.

The project was completed in December just before the famous Carlyle Dickens Festival. The project total was over $100,000.

The scope of the project increased when the work started, but in the end the Town of Carlyle is pleased with the results. There will be further upgrades to the hall in the future by adding an accessible bathroom.