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The
Official Newspaper of Manchester and Delaware County, Iowa
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
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Despite weather, work continues on WD addition
by Ken Boesenberg |
This time of the year the weather can reek havoc with construction projects. Such hasn’t been the case with the Phase 1 construction under way at the West Delaware High School.
Construction crews were fortunate enough to get much of their work area enclosed before the bitterly cold weather moved in some 10 days ago.
West Delaware High School Principal John Nordaas says that the total construction project is as close to being on schedule as it could be.
“You will always be ahead in some areas and maybe just a little behind in others. However, overall the project is moving along nicely,” stated Nordaas.
By next fall, everyone will notice considerable changes in the school.
The Performing Arts Auditorium has a roof over a portion of it. The east side has been left open so that crews can more easily maneuver the big equipment needed for other parts of the project.
The auditorium has enough shape to it for one to see where the lighting control room and band pit sections will be. It is a very impressive sight, even at this stage of completion. |
KEN BOESENBERG / Press
This is a portion of the new vocal music room still under construction. This new area will allow the vocal music students to practice in one area instead of being shuffled throughout the high school as is the current case.
KEN BOESENBERG / Press
Despite the sub-zero wind chill temperatures work continues in the “bore field” where wells are being drilled for the geo-thermal heating and cooling system of the new additions to West Delaware High School. |
It is not only the auditorium itself that will have a huge impact on performing arts but the large combination of male and female changing rooms. Current facilities are next to non-existent at the current high school. Also, included, is a make-up room for all the preparation that needs to be done before any performance.
Additionally there will be a very nice staging area and, of course, a huge set building area that will allow sets to be built in a much more efficient and timely manner.
It should be remembered that the auditorium would not have been possible without the tremendous help of the community.
“The performing arts center is a credit to our community for the way they have responded to the call for help,” commented Friends of the Fine Arts Center Chair Dave Dudley.
“The community has waited for many years for such a facility and it is very exciting to see it come to pass.”
The Friends of the Fine Arts Center have exceeded their goal of $1,000,000 dollars and are continuing to raise money.
“You will have some cost overruns which we can use the extra money for and, as well, we have established an endowment fund to perpetuate arts programs at West Delaware High School,” continued Dudley.
According to Dudley, there are approximately 200 seats still remaining for naming opportunities.
Those naming opportunities will end on July 1 when the donor board will be completed.
As one works their way through the maze of construction you walk through a huge commons and kitchen area.
The current kitchen and dining area measure some 1,900 plus square feet; the new area is more than double that size at 4,600 square feet.
“The increased size will allow us to do a number of things that are not possible in our current facility,” stated Nordaas.
“We are hopeful of having our athletic banquets, possibly some dances and our parent/teacher conferences in that area. As well, it could be used for any number of public events,” said Nordaas.
Still to come is the addition of 16 new classrooms that will connect the new addition to the old school. That portion of the project will begin once the current school year is completed.
Once school is out there will be a flurry of activity going on in the current structure with many different remodeling projects slated.
The current administrative staff offices will be converted to the ICN room which has been housed in the portables forever. This switch will make the ICN program next to a whole new experience.
A number of classrooms will be remodeled to accommodate new functions.
Existing locker rooms and coaches offices will be redone so that more than two people at a time will be able to shower after an activity.
With all the work that is going on with the structural portion of the new addition there is also the digging of some 90 wells on the football practice field located across Prospect Street from the high school.
The “bore field” will eventually be returned to a usable piece of ground by the athletic teams while providing the geo-thermal heating and cooling base for current and future construction.
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| Former owner, publisher, Woellert passes away |
Former owner, publisher, editor and reporter, Larry Woellert died early Saturday morning at his home of an apparent heart attack.
Woellert, 62, began working at the Press in 1967 in advertising sales.
In April of 1989 he took over the paper as Publisher and Editor and held those positions for the next 15 years.
In all Woellert spent 37 years involved with the newspaper in Manchester, doing everything that is connected with a weekly paper.
He had a passion for the local and area news and an equal passion for West Delaware athletics.
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Larry Woellert |
“I appreciated his attitude toward city business,” said Manchester mayor Milt Kramer. “He was not an individual who would take sides. He tried to be very positive and present both sides as equally as he could.”
“He will be extremely missed by this community. Not only for the way he reported the news but the constant involvement and pride that he took while serving the community in a number of ways,” said current Manchester Press Editor, Ken Boesenberg.
Woellert was presented with numerous awards from the community of Manchester and his peers in the newspaper industry.
In 1998 he was named Manchester’s “Person of the Year and five years later in 2003 he was honored as Manchester’s “Citizen of the Year.”
He received the prestigious Master Editor-Publisher Award in 2004 from the Iowa Newspaper Association at their annual meeting.
He served on the Iowa Newspaper Foundation Board of Directors for six years from 1995 to 2001.
From the late 1990’s to the current time he was a freelance reporter for the Gazette and the Dubuque Telegraph-Herald.
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Schram Park update
by Ken Boesenberg |
The Parks and Recreation Commission along with the Friends of the Manchester Parks have been busy applying for numerous developmental grants for the proposed Schram Park.
Most recently, the Commission has requested an allocation to hire an engineer to complete a feasibility study on constructing a pedestrian bridge across the Maquoketa River. The proposed project would lead off from S. Brewer Street and through the old compost site.
If feasible and approved by the city council, the city would apply for federal funding to offset the majority of the cost of the project.
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KEN BOESENBERG / Press
Even with temperatures and wind chill factors below zero during the day a number of dedicated ice fishermen are using Schram Pond. With today’s equipment, such as these fishing shacks, one can take advantage of fishing opportunities without being exposed to the less than desirable weather conditions. |
In addition, the Commission has developed a tree planting plan with the local Master Gardeners, State Forestry Improvement Committee member for the site. The plan calls for over 250 trees to be planted in the next three to five years. The city will apply for funding for the tree planting project through grants administered by the local utilities.
Furthermore, the Parks and Recreation Commission has submitted a grant, that if awarded, would fund the construction of a boat ramp into the Maquoketa River. This grant application has yet to be granted, however, it wouldn’t be possible at all without the great in-kind contributions from Phillippson Masonry and Gibbs Engineering.
The single largest contribution to date for the development of the park has been the Manchester Rotary. The Rotary has donated their services to construct a shelter at the park with local Rotarian Roger Worm designing the shelter.
“The vision for the project has been simple. Many eye catching features and colorful plantings will draw attention to our community from visitors traveling along Highway 20,” states Parks and Recreation Director, Ben Page.
If you would like to make a contribution to the project or if you have a suggestion feel free to contact Ben Page, Director of Parks and Recreation at 563-927-3636. |
Manchester held special city council meeting
by Ken Boesenberg |
The city of Manchester held a special city council meeting and budget work session on Mon., February 5, at City Hall.
The council set Mon., February 26 at 5:00 p.m. for a public hearing on the following annexation requests; Donald and Kathy McCurdy; and ALL Energy, Inc.
The council continued with its budget work session which included discussions regarding the Sewer Department, Capital Projects, Downtown Incentive, Bikeway/Walkway Project, Street Projects, Local Option Tax, Solid Waste Collection, Economic Development and Holiday Decorations.
Included in the council’s budget work session was the proposed City Levy Rate of $14.87667 which would be a decrease of $0.71292 per $1,000 of evaluation. |
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