by TaLeiza Calloway – news@thenewsleaders.com
Construction work in Minnesota can’t escape delays from freezing temperatures. Work goes on, and such is the case for the Church of St. Joseph’s “Making Room at Our Table.” The building project that includes the construction of a fellowship hall is slated for completion July 1, despite the recent snowy weather.
Ken Braseth, project superintendent for Breitbach Construction Co., said his crew lost a few days in February due to the winter, but the project is still on schedule. They often work through the elements when they can.
“In Minnesota you will always catch a bite from the winter,” Braseth said. “The weather is always a factor. It delayed us a little, but we’ll make our July 1 deadline. That’s the most important thing.”
This February was the ninth snowiest on record for the St. Cloud area, according to a weather report from St. Cloud State University meteorologist Bob Weisman. The area retained 16.8 inches of snow last month, according to the report.
As the weather starts to break up, progress continues with plans to close up the windows of the church structure. Pouring concrete for the floors could start as early as today (March 8th), Braseth said.
The project cost is about $1.8 million. There are four areas to the “Making Room at Our Table” building project. They are a gathering space or large entrance into the church, a restroom that will be accessible to all, a kitchen and a fellowship hall with the capacity to hold 250 people. The hope is the fellowship hall will be used for weddings or other family events. There are two steps leading to the bathroom now, hence the need for a more easily accessible one, Sandy Scholz, business manager for the church, said previously.
Scholz said construction has not interfered with church operations. Access to and from the church has not been limited, but parking has been. She said parishioners have really stepped up to help in this area, including driving golf carts from the parking lot along College Avenue to the door of the church for those who need assistance. All are eager to have the extra space, Scholz said.
“It’s going well,” Scholz said of the project. “We’re moving right along.”
The design of the new addition was done by Hagemeister and Mack Architects Inc. of St. Cloud. The general contractor for the project is Breitbach Construction Co. of Elrosa.
