Preparations are going forward all the time as organizers of the campaign to save the legendary Purdy residence on Roblin Lake move inexorably closer to the day when they can take ownership of the property and begin operating it as a public attraction and a writer’s residence.

A recent donation of $40,000 from the Glasswaters Foundation has pushed the fund to over $200,000 and within striking distance of the amount needed to buy the .65-acre site from Al Purdy’s widow, Eurithe. Anticipating that development, the organizers have formed a non-profit society with headquarters in Toronto. The new association, the Al Purdy A-frame Association (APAFA), received its federal charter on October 9 and will be the official body that holds title to the property as well as managing programs and directing ongoing fundraising. Charitable status is pending. The provisional directors are Jean Baird, President; George Goodwin, Secretary; and Duncan Patterson and Howard and Patrick White, directors. The ad-hoc campaign body “The Al Purdy A-frame Association” has now been replaced by  APAFA and the former name will no longer be used.