16 • NEWS-MONITOR TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012

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Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Dedicating the new Hankinson Community Center

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Paying tribute to the city ofHankinson’s past is some-thing the Community Cen-ter Committee took toheart. They gave credit tothe many businesses thatonce provided service inthese historic buildings, bypreserving various parts ofthe past. The AmericanLegion building, far left, hasprovided many years ofservice to residents as well,but it is with full support ofthe American Legion mem-bers that this project got offthe ground. The pictureshows the buildings whichnow house the CommunityCenter, before any restora-tion work began.

Member FDIC

HHaannkkiinnssoonn •• WWyynnddmmeerree •• LLiiddggeerrwwoooodd

2 • NEWS-MONITOR TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012 TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012 NEWS-MONITOR • 15

General Contractor

ARENDS CONSTRUCTIONHankinson, ND • 899-0429

Hankinson Had Many Volunteer Hours & Donated Items

So The Project Could Be Completed.

Thank You For The OpportunityTo Be A Part Of Such A Special Community Project.

CONGRATULATIONSOn The Hankinson

Community Center!

Melvin Hubrig 701-545-7574 - Cell 701-640-4138

Hubrig Plumbing & Heating

Congratulations!We Are Proud To Have

Been A Part Of The Hankinson Community

Center!

Thanks For The Opportunity!

BY ROBYN ROHDEmonitor@rrt.et

In what began as a small com-munity's worst nightmare, hasgrown into a beacon of Hankin-son's history after six years ofhard work.

The Hankinson CommunityCenter is in the final steps ofconstruction with a scheduledopening ceremony Friday, June29. The estimated $1.6 millionproject is unique in the factthat it showcases the talentsand history of the 126-year-oldtown and the people who call ithome.

The Community Center proj-ect began in 2006 when Hankin-son's American Legion Eber-hard Post 88 started informingthe community that it would on-ly be able to function as the own-ers of what was then the com-

munity center for about anoth-er five years. The high cost ofmaintaining and insuring thebuilding was a burden to the lo-cal Legion group, so they need-ed to find alternative uses forthe structure. The original Le-gion building was constructedby World War II veterans to beused as a basketball court forthe community with a civil de-fense bomb shelter underneath.

When the school built theirown gymnasium, the Legionbuilding closed. It reopened inthe late 1970s as a rental op-tion when the community wasin need of a place big enoughto house special events, suchas weddings or graduations.The first event in the current

Legion building was MayorJoseph O'Meara's wedding,held Feb. 3, 1979. According toO'Meara, they had just fin-ished the indoor plumbing be-

fore the ceremony.Legion members approached

the Hankinson City Council togauge interest in the city pur-chasing the building so it couldremain as a rental location forcelebrations. During a publicmeeting held May 13, 2009 thecity council presented severalscenarios that could be imple-mented with the existing Le-gion building. One option wasto add 20 feet to the front of thebuilding and put in an elevatorto make it more handicap ac-cessible. Another option was toadd an addition to the east sideof the building and to includean elevator. In the end, theCommunity Center BuildingCommittee realized that to

bring the building up to code,with repairs and remodeling,came a hefty $1 million pricetag.

“To tie into the side of thatrounded roof, the architect hadstructural issues and then thebasement has water issues,"O'Meara said. "There weresome issues with the buildingthat they have been putting upwith over the years already andit didn't seem like we were get-ting rid of those issues. Wecould invest a lot of money tojust taking care of the handi-cap accessibility but wouldn'tthat money be better spent onsomething else?"

Instead, the committee pro-posed constructing a new 9,500-square-foot steel building on avacant lot directly south of the

New Community Center has become a labor of love and tradition

The history for Hankinson is not forgotten

‘(The architects) said thesebuildings could standanother 100 years. Thereare places in the big citiesthat spend a lot of moneyto get this look back.’

Hankinson Mayor Joseph O’Meara

SEE COMMUNITY CENTER, PAGE 15

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

existing Legion building. Theland is owned by the HankinsonCommunity Development Cor-poration. An estimate for thenew building was around$800,000, but did not include thecost of improving the parkinglot, landscaping and sidewalks.

When it came to funding, thecity overwhelmingly passed avote Aug. 18, 2009 to establish a 1cent sales tax. Other methods offunding the building include$70,000 of extra city sales taxgenerated during the construc-tion of a new addition to theschool and ethanol plant, pluscash donations and grants.

The Legion committed thefirst $50,000 to the project in ex-change for having some storagespace and priority for the meet-ing room.

"We got to a million dollarsrather quickly, so now it was justa matter of how much it was go-ing to cost total," O'Meara said.

In March 2010, city officialswere informed of a problemwith their proposed site of thenew building. The parking lotwas used as a staging area andturnaround for semis haulinggrain and corn to Wheaton-Du-mont Co-op Elevator on MainAvenue in Hankinson. By look-ing at the positioning of thebuilding, there was concern thathaving the trucks entering theparking area could potentiallycause damage to the parking lotand to the building as there was-n't sufficient room for the semisto safely turn around there.

"One fall, there was six or sev-en weeks when semis were over

there to fill this lot," O'Mearasaid. "Another issue was thebuilding was so close to the (rail-road) tracks that when thetrains did come through, itwould shake the building."

While reviewing options topurchase an alternate area fortrucks to turn around beforeentering the elevator from thewest, the Community CenterBuilding Committee was guid-ed in a completely different di-rection. Kevin Bartram ofMutchler Bartram Architectswas consulted about possiblyrenovating the three struc-

tures on the corner of Main Av-enue and First Street North-west, which had been a main-stay of the roadway for morethan 100 years. He approachedthe city council during aMarch 29, 2010 meeting andsuggested that the three oldbuildings could offer 5,000-square-feet of space on each oftwo levels, and that a new 5,000-square-foot structure could bebuilt behind the buildings tohouse the kitchen, bar andopen area for events.

"(The architects) said thesebuildings could stand another

100 years," O'Meara said. "Thereare places in big cities thatspend a lot of money to get thislook back."

A second public meeting heldMay 13, 2010 put the project onthe path to its current destina-tion. A committee of 23 citizensbecame involved to move aheadwith the restoration of the his-toric buildings and make aunique structure in the commu-nity.

Construction officially start-ed Aug. 19, 2010. Originally, thecity council was hoping for thecommunity center to be opera-

tional by Hankinson's 125th An-niversary in July 2011, but didnot make that date.

The official dedication cere-mony will take place June 29 atthe new Hankinson CommunityCenter. Gov. Dalrymple will bethere to help officially open thestructure.

A social hour and meal kickoff the celebration from 5-6:30p.m. Then the dedication pro-gram begins at 6:30 p.m.

Also scheduled to entertain is,the "’57 Chevy Band," who willtake to the stage from 7:30-11:30p.m. There is no cover charge.

COMMUNITY CENTER: City officials approached the public for an idea of what to do, residents chose to renovate historic buildings

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY THE CITY OF HANKINSON

The above rendition is something architect Kevin Bartram of MutchlerBartram Architects first showed the city council on what the proposed

Community Center could look like. The council used this rendering toshow citizens to gain their approval.

Congratulations On Your New Community Center

Enjoy It!Fairmount

701-474-5440Breckenridge218-643-2651

Wahpeton701-642-8035

Mooreton701-274-8288

www.fuosv.com

SE WATER USERS206 Main Street, Mantador, ND

701-242-7432 • 1-800-400-8888

Congratulations HankinsonOn Your New Community Center!

TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012 NEWS-MONITOR • 314 • NEWS-MONITOR TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012

Thank You Volunteers For Your Time & Hard Work

On Our Lovely New Community Center!May God Bless You!

613 1st Avenue SW, Hankinson, ND, 58041-0448 • 701-242-7891E-Mail: stgerard@rrt.net

ST. GERARD’S COMMUNITY OF CARE

Lidgerwood • Wyndmere538-4585 439-2263

Good For You!Enjoy Your New Community Center!

The newly-renovatedHankinsonCommunityCenterIt took a few years from theproject’s first inception tocompletion, but the overallproject has been worth thewait. Three historic build-ings on Hankinson’s MainAvenue have been renovat-ed to become the newCommunity Center. Thecombination of old build-ings with new constructionmakes this center uniqueand a tie to Hankinson’spast. The building will offi-cially open June 29 at agrand opening celebrationwith the governor of NorthDakota, Jack Dalrymple, inattendance.

Parts of the old building are demol-ished on the back side of the formerThird Base Bar to make way for newconstruction. The American Legionbuilding is shown in the background,a building which has provided manyyears of service for the AmericanLegion and residents as specialevents and meetings have been heldthere.

TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012 NEWS-MONITOR •134 • NEWS-MONITOR TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012

Lidgerwood Lumber JDJan & Dave Breker

153 Wiley Avenue South • Lidgerwood, ND • 701-538-4541

Congratulations!

Wishing Everyone Enjoyable Times At Your New Community Center!

Shawn M. Krause-Roberts, PT, MPT, ATCTera Paulson, PT, DPT • Tony Eggiman, PT, DPT

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CongratulationsHankinson & The Surrounding

Communities!

The Center Is A Great AdditionTo The Community!

101 1st Street NE, Hankinson, ND 58041 • 701-242-7181

Custom Lollipops & Bulk Candy Annie’s Corner Bar

Lidgerwood, ND • 701-538-9436

Congratulations!On Your New Community Center

701-242-9400Your Partner In Renewable Fuels

To Hankinson &The Surrounding Communities!

Congratulations!

The new HankinsonCommunity Center ismade up of four busi-nesses, three of whichare no longer in busi-ness. The end buildingused to be Third Base,left, and the middlewas Smoke’s Sign Ser-vice, right. The thirdbuilding was Isan’sPizza and the end wasHeather Ann’s Floral, abusiness which relocat-ed to south Main inHankinson. Instead offour separate struc-tures, the CommunityCenter opens intothese former business-es, with work yet to becomplete for the farnorth side.

The buildings have been onHankinson’s Main Avenuefor more than 100 years.Generations of residentshave utilized the businessthat made up the networkof building. Now with thenew Community Center,more people will continueto cherish this corner oftown as they use their newfacility.

TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012 NEWS-MONITOR • 512 • NEWS-MONITOR TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012

II..DD.. MMaacchhiinneeHHaannkkiinnssoonn •• 224422--77440088 •• iiddmmiinncc@@rrrrtt..nneett

Thank You Volunteer’s!For All Your CNC, Machining,

Manufacturing & Welding NeedsContact Ron, Scott or Gerry At:

Glad To Have Been A Part Of This Project!

Congratulations!A & M CONTRACTORS, LLC

Hankinson, ND • 701-242-9862

Advanced Auto Service

Sincere Thank You To All Who Volunteered

Their Time Or FinancialSupport In Order To Make

The Vision Of The Community Center A Reality.

701-242-7424 - 701-403-4970 CellJoe & Rita O’Meara ~ Owners

Parts & Service Of All Makes & Models!

107 1ST St. SE, Hankinson

ASE Certified

BY ROBYN ROHDEmonitor@rrt.et

Major dates for communitycenter project:

• 2006 – Hankinson's Ameri-can Legion Eberhard Post 88 in-forms community it will onlyhave enough financing to runthe community center for an-other five years;

• 2007 – An advisory commit-tee was formed to look at thepossibility of converting thebuilding into an updated, mod-ern community center built tocode and handicap accessible;

• May 13, 2009 – Public meet-ing over feasibility of remodel-ing the Legion building or to ac-cept the proposed new Mortonbuilding south of the Legionbuilding;

• Aug. 18, 2009 – After anotherpublic meeting, Hankinson res-idents voted overwhelmingly

to approve a one cent sales taxdedicated to the communitycenter project;

• March 2010 – City officialsrealize a problem arose withthe site chosen for the proposednew building. The parking lotis used as a turnaround areafor semis hauling grain toWheaton-Dumont co-op Eleva-tor on Main Avenue;

• March 29, 2010 – MutchlerBartram Architects suggestedthe city council remodel threeold buildings on the corner ofMain Avenue and First StreetNorthwest and build an addi-tional 5,000-square-foot struc-ture behind them;

• May 13, 2010 – Final publicmeeting that cemented currentbuilding plans. A committee of23 citizens joined forces tomove ahead with the restora-tion of the historic buildingsand make a unique structure in

the community, instead of “an-other Morton building;”

• Aug. 19, 2010 – Construction

officially started on restora-tion portion of project;

• June 29, 2012 – Dedication

program with Gov. Jack Dal-rymple officially opens Hank-inson Community Center.

Timeline of how the new facility came about

The American Legion used this building to hold large events,such as weddings, anniversaries and more. Although the

facility has served the area well, the Legion couldn’t afford tocontinue paying for heat and building costs.

The demolition process created a congestion of workers and equipment, but the overall projectwas well worth the time and wait. The city of Hankinson is celebrating a grand opening of its new

Community Center June 29, featuring Gov. Jack Dalrymple, social hour and dance. Everyone iswelcome to attend.

6 • NEWS-MONITOR TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012 TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012 NEWS-MONITOR • 11

BBrriiddggeemmaarrttMMeeaattss

Owners Ted Mauch & John Kuchera

701-439-2826

Full ServiceCatering

We’re Excited To Utillize ThisGreat Commerical Facility!

The Nest113 Main Avenue South, Hankinson • 701-242-7503

Congrats & Thank YouTo All The Volunteers

For Making This Possible!

FARMERS CO-OPELEVATOR

220 2nd Street NE, Lidgerwood, ND • 701-538-4551South Station • 301 2nd Avenue SE • 701-538-4617

Geneseo Station • 701-538-4819

Congratulations!

Wahpeton • Milnor • Edgeley

Congratulations Hankinson & Surrounding Communities!

Proudly Serving Our Rural Communities For Over 70 Years!

Congratulations Hankinson!

440 Wiley Avenue South, Lidgerwood, ND • 701-538-4566Dakota Estates

It took a huge volun-teer effort to work onand finish the Commu-nity Center. The hourswere given as an in-kind donation and vol-unteers were recog-nized and thanked at aspecial volunteerrecognition ceremonyheld Friday, June 22.Left: Volunteers put tinon the back side of theformer Third Basebuilding to prepare itfor the new addition ofthe kitchen and com-mon area. Right: thehistoric buildings werein various stages of dis-repair before workcommenced on theCommunity Center. TheBertelsen building roofwas in especially badshape. The buildingshad to either be reno-vated or torn downbefore they collapsedfrom years of neglect.

Tying four separate buildings intoone common structure took lots ofman hours. The end result is a uniquecombination of old, historic buildingsand new construction. Left: A workerhelps frame the wall in the formerThird Base Bar building.

10 • NEWS-MONITOR TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012 TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012 NEWS-MONITOR • 7

Congratulations Hankinson!

Serving Families Through The YearsLidgerwood, ND • 701-538-4500

10 2nd Avenue SEHankinson, ND • 701-242-7700

408 Main Avenue South

Paid for by Heidi for Senate.

Congratulations, Hankinson!

U.S. Senate Candidate Heidi Heitkamp

www.heidifornorthdakota.com

I wish I could be with you at the grandopening of the Community Center. Pleasekeep an eye on Joel for me.Best wishes,

Congratulations City Of Hankinson

On The New Community Center!

Nathan & Julie Falk,

Owners

Hankinson Drug,Inc.

323 Main Ave. S, Hankinson, ND(701) 242-7414

Julie’s Pharmacy & Home Decor

47 Wiley Ave. S., Lidgerwood, ND(701) 538-4616

Everyone’s Time, Donations & Hard Work Has Made A Beautiful Place For Many To Enjoy!

4U INSURANCE AGENCY

PO Box 397, Hankinson ND701-242-7724 • 888-236-7591 • email: fouruins@midco.net

Thank You Volunteers!

Rick Hauser, FIC•Health Insurance •Nursing Home

•Medicare Supplements •Investments

TTTThhhhaaaannnnkkkk YYYYoooouuuu VVVVoooo llll uuuunnnn tttt eeee eeee rrrr’’’’ ssss !!!!

When Hankinsonwas just starting togrow, Main Avenuealso started with fourbeautiful brick build-ings, sharing a com-mon wall. This photowas taken in the late1800s or early 1900sand features a dirtroad, horses andbuggies and a mod-ern looking Main.Hankinson’s newCommunity Centerpays tribute to thecity’s past with a lookto the future.

Left: A tuckpointing crew works on the old Isan’s building, as they replace thegrout in between the bricks. It was a big effort to get the outside of the build-ings looking as they used to. The window blocks were removed and new glasswas installed. Above: This is how the Isan’s building looked before any renova-tion work began.

8 • NEWS-MONITOR TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012 TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012 NEWS-MONITOR• 9

• CARQUEST Auto Parts• Service • Tires

WyndmereAuto, LLC

500 Hwy 11, Wyndmere 701-439-2259

Congratulation HankinsonOn Your New Center!

We Are Very Proud Of Our Town

& Our New Community Center!

Hankinson, NDBox 132 • Wyndmere, ND • 701-439-0045

www.sbcustomhomes.com

OWNERS: Jon Skillings & Dwayne Brandt

Let UsBuild Your

Future!

CongratulationsHankinson!

NewHomes

By

701-242-7883Hankinson, ND

Thank You For Making

History Part Of

Our Future!

Concrete is poured for the site of the elevator shaft. Although a volunteer work force ran much of the project,contractors were hired for specific areas of construction.

Terry Puetz works on the concrete floors with help fromvolunteers.

On a cold winter day, a cement truck was backed into the former Isan’s Pizzabuilding and poured the floor of the new bathrooms for the CommunityCenter.

It was a big endeavor to pour the floors with Nate Falk,Joel Bladow and Adam Ward working together to get the

job done. This crew of volunteers and many more workedhundreds of hours on the project.