A small group of Grand Junction officials gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday for the new community center.
After a brief remark from steering committee member Diane Wise, the group posed in front of the site where the contractor, Jensen Builders, was moving dirt to prepare the ground for the one-story building. Mayor Gerald Herrick gives his thoughts on what having a new community center means for the City.
“Everybody is just thrilled. The whole town has pulled together (and) just tickled pink. We’re also tearing down and rebuilding houses. We’re going to put Grand Junction back on the map, again.”
Wise describes how she felt the groundbreaking event was an official sign that the project is finally underway.
“I’m very, very excited. People doubted us that it was ever going to happen. And it’s so exciting to see it all coming together and people helping us and just enjoying the day and watching the dirt work start to move.”
Work began earlier this week on the over $1.1 million community center that’s located on Main Street. Wise notes that they raised enough funds through donations and grants such as a $220,000 grant from Vision Iowa and a $300,000 grant from Junction Hilltop Wind Farm.
The building will have meeting rooms, City Hall offices, a kitchen and public restrooms. The project is slated to be completed by January of 2016.