Groundbreaking for St. Francis Manor Building Project
Many gathered at St. Francis Manor right before Christmas, Thursday, December 23rd for a ceremonial groundbreaking held by St. Francis Manor Foundation for the $4 Million project to renovate and remodel the building. Many of the St. Franis Manor Board of Directors and St. Franics Manor Foundation Board Members attended as well as many involved in the project.
From L to R: Wes Finch (Foundation Board), John Bushong (Construction for Project), Dion Schrack (Executive Administrator), Roger Holck (Foundation Board), Danny Carroll (St. Francis Manor Board), Richard Shell (St. Francis Manor Board), Fran Conn (St. Francis Manor Board), Barb Baker (Foundation Board), Ross McCulla (Foundation Board), Doug Wells (Architect for Project), Bob Jurgensen (Great Western Bank), Montie Hammond (Foundation Board), Bill Menner (USDA Rural Development State Director in Iowa), Marlene Toney (St. Francis Manor Board), Lori Vos (Foundation Board), Marrina Kaloupek (St. Francis Manor Board) and Leila Maring (St. Francis Manor Board).
Several people spoke to help celebrate the day including: Bill Menner, USDA Rural Development State Director of Iowa; Fran Conn, Chairperson of the St. Francis Manor Board; Barb Baker, Vice President of the St. Francis Manor Foundation Board and Dion Schrack, Executive Administrator of St. Francis Manor.
Construction for the project will be completed by Montezuma based, Bushong Construction Company while architecture is done by Wells + Associates of Des Moines.
About three-quarters of the total project cost will be funded through grants and low-interest loans. The USDA has provided a $1,000,000 community facilities direct loan and $50,000 community facilities grant to assist with the project. St. Francis Manor Foundation is seeking an additional $1 million in supplemental support from individuals, businesses and foundations in our area. Since May they have raised nearly $300,000 in fundraising efforts. This is the first time that St. Francis Manor has made a public appeal for assistance.
Directly following groundbreaking and speaking, refreshments were served with coffee in the social center. Click HERE to view photos from the event.
