FLOWERY BRANCH — Boy Scout Troop 228 in Flowery Branch is about to get a new home.

The troop is planning a July 11 dedication of the John E. Runyon Memorial Scout Hut on Masonic Lodge property off Gainesville Street.

The event will feature a cornerstone setting ceremony by the Masons.

“I’m excited for us. This may inspire more boys to join our troop,” said senior patrol leader Michael Cochran, 16, of Buford. “It’ll be real fun to have a place we can call home.”

The troop has kicked around the idea of a permanent home after chartering with the Masons in 2004.

A groundbreaking ceremony took place in February 2008 and grading started two months later. The troop, which has a photo diary at its website, www.troop228.info, began putting up walls and framing the building in December 2008.

The failing economy hampered the troop’s ability to raise money and get donations toward completing the project.

Landscaping, pouring concrete pad at the back steps, some work on the front entrance awning, adding doors and connecting to city sewer remain to be done, said Ken Cochran, the troop’s committee chairman and Michael’s father.

The hut will feature several rooms for meetings and activities, including a main room that will feature benches along the walls, a storage area and restrooms. It also will have an attic that will adult leader offices, as well as conference and record space.
An outside stairwell leads to the second floor at the rear of the building.

Cochran and several Masons visiting at the site Wednesday said they believe the Flowery Branch lodge is the only one in the state with a Boy Scout hut on Mason property.

The troop has met in the lodge while the hut has been under construction.

“Generally, we meet when they don’t meet,” Cochran said. “... That has worked out pretty well.”

But it’ll be nice to get new digs.

“It’s the greatest feeling in the world, I’ll tell you what,” Cochran said.

“We’re glad to get it done,” said Phillip Williams, past master of the Flowery Branch lodge. “You like to have your stuff ... and they can have their stuff, and they’re not intertwined.”

Cochran agreed.

“Having their own place to do their own thing is most important ... to them,” said Cochran, who has worked with Joe Jones, the lodge’s Scout liaison, on the project.

“I think all of (the Scouts) will carry this for life. They’re charter members of a brand-new Boy Scout hut,” said Jim Arnold, senior warden at the lodge.

The two organizations are looking at ways to combine some efforts. The Masons sponsors races and the Boy Scouts hold festivals in Flowery Branch.

“We’re (looking at) merging them,” Cochran said.

The Masons already sponsor a child identification program as part of the festivals.