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2025 Project Preview

Posted on March 17, 2025

The Preconstruction Process

At the close of 2024, we broke ground on amazing projects and cut the ribbon on landmark facilities, serving commercial industries, public institutions, healthcare systems, education networks, and communities across the Midwest.

No successful construction project is complete without a proper plan that defines the client’s needs, the time required to finish the job, and the cost to build. The Preconstruction Department works to help owners realize their visions by outlining the scope and operation of their facilities, projecting costs for trades and materials, and creating a foundation for a smooth transition from the planning phase into construction phase.

Looking Ahead

In Q1 and Q2, we’re kicking off construction on a new set of projects performing a wide range of functions for higher learning, K-12 education, nonprofit organizations, and more. Take a look below to get a preview of a few facilities that our team is excited to be building this year:

Indiana Wesleyan University ‘I Am 3^rd’ Basketball Arena (Marion, IN)

50,000 square foot Basketball Arena and a 20,000 square foot renovation of Martin Hall to be used for Basketball Operations.
Arena Includes: New Weight room, Practice Gym, Home Locker Rooms & Team Rooms, Suites, and Videoboard.
Construction currently underway.

Vincent Village Shelter Holton Avenue Campus Redevelopment (Fort Wayne, IN)

18,500 square foot facility with offices & living space.
Construction begins in Summer 2025

Multiple Projects with Concord Community Schools (Elkhart, IN)

Concord HS Jake Field: Football Field Turf, New Track, Lighting, Bleachers, and Concession & Team Buildings.
Renovations to Ox Bow Elementary.
Renovations to Southside Elementary.
All three jobs are beginning late Spring/Summer 2025.

We’re eager to move forward on these projects and begin the work cut out for us. It’s been a fresh start to the year with the close of Q1; let’s continue to embrace new opportunities in the months ahead!

Sincerely,

Ryan Lough

Senior Estimator

Women Celebrated on WIC Week

Posted on March 13, 2025

Highlighting Women in the Industry

Since 1998, the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) has held a special week of events, highlighting the critical role that women play in both maintaining and pushing the construction industry forward. March 2^nd-6^th, known as WIC Week, is dedicated to recognizing the past, present, and future achievements of women, a worker group historically underrepresented in the construction world. WIC Week both celebrates progress while also continuing to lay the foundation to support the next generation of women aspiring to make their career in the industry.

The Tools to Succeed

NAWIC hosted a full week of online events, with industry experts sharing their unique experiences through educational seminars, panel discussions, and setting vision for the future.

“It’s been a significant opportunity for us to spotlight not only the accomplishments, but also the possibilities for women in the industry.” – Rita Brown, President Elect, NAWIC

Meet the Women of Weigand

We asked a few employees about their experiences as women in construction, why they chose this industry, and any advice they had for peers in the profession:

“Originally I went to school for business administration and landed in the construction industry,” says Tara Leto, a Construction Admin and Manager of WCI’s Award-Winning Employee Wellness Program. “I’ve stayed for 27-plus years…I’ve met some great people…I don’t ever get bored!”

For Chloe Hutchins, Weigand’s Senior BIM Coordinator, it was CAD classes in high school that piqued her interest, leading her to pursue a degree in Construction Management at Purdue University. She noted that emphasizing professional connections were key to her growth. “Any advice I would have for women in construction would just be to ask questions and then make those connections. Talk to people in the field; talk to people in the office; really get to know people. It really helps and goes a long way.”

Courtney Plumley, a Safety Coordinator, said that she enjoys the industry for the variety it offers, “I get a mix of being out here in the field and being in the office and every day is different.”

“Part of the reason why I got into construction is all the opportunity,” mentions Olivia Jablonski-Davies, a Project Engineer at Weigand. “There’s tons of stuff you can get into from project management [and] estimating…we’re always growing and expanding.”

Sami Miller, WCI’s IT Support Analyst, highlighted that composure in difficult circumstances is a fundamental part of personal and professional advancement, “My advice for women who want to get into the industry is to just be confident and assertive. It can be a tough industry, but knowing your worth and standing your ground will earn you the respect that you deserve.”

The women of Weigand operate and lead in a wide array of roles throughout the company. Ranging from Project Management, Preconstruction, and Safety to Technology, Accounting, Recruiting, Administration, and Business Development—they are driving innovation and carving a new path in the world of construction as we know it today.

YMCA Opens First of Its Kind in Muncie

Posted on March 11, 2025

On March 8, Muncie marked a new chapter in its 150-year YMCA legacy.

The city’s state-of-the-art YMCA, a 73,000-square-foot facility designed by Elevatus Architecture and built by Weigand Construction, officially opened. More than just a gym, this transformational facility integrates fitness, education, and healthcare, creating a vital resource for the community.

The facility’s heart is a multi-purpose aquatics center featuring an eight-lane competition pool and diving well, offering top-tier training opportunities for students from neighboring Muncie Central High School and YMCA members.

The ground level features a full-size gymnasium for basketball and volleyball, specialized spaces for hands-on cooking and nutrition programs, and a childcare center serving infants to school-age children.

In partnership with Open Door Health Services, the YMCA also houses a full-service, Federally Qualified Health Center offering primary care, pediatrics, behavioral health, and dental services, expected to serve over 10,000 patients annually. Upstairs, a walking track surrounds the gym, alongside spacious fitness rooms and diverse cardio and weight training equipment, promoting endurance and variety in workouts.

Years in the Making

Eight years ago, the vision for this YMCA took shape with a clear goal: consolidate existing Y facilities, expand outreach, and create a hub for connection, health, and education. Mark Hartman, CEO of First Merchant Bank and campaign co-chair, led the effort to bring this dream to life.

“We envisioned a facility that would not just serve as a gym, but as a true pillar of support for the entire community,” Hartman reflected during the grand opening. “Today, that vision stands before us.”

Bringing this vision to reality was not without its challenges. Initially planned as a $30 million project, rising costs and a commitment to excellence led to a record-breaking $40 million fundraising campaign, the largest in Delaware County history. Generous contributions came from IU Health, the Ball Brothers Foundation, and numerous local donors, businesses, and philanthropic organizations.

More Than Just a Building

At its core, the new YMCA is a model of collaboration. Partnerships with Muncie Community Schools, IU Health, Open Door Health Services, and local workforce development organizations ensure its impact reaches beyond its walls.

The aquatics center will benefit high school students through competitive swimming and warm-water therapy programs. TeenWorks and the Muncie Area Career Center will utilize the space for workforce training, helping young adults develop skills for their futures.

Chad Zaucha, President and CEO of the Muncie YMCA, emphasized the facility’s broader purpose. “This isn’t just a gym,” he says. “This is a place where families grow stronger, individuals find the support they need, and the community thrives.”

A Lasting Impact

Dr. Jeff Bird, President of IU Health East Central Region, says the facility is a transformative force for Muncie’s health and wellness landscape.

“I believe we will see measurable improvements in the health outcomes of East Central Indiana,” he says. “It’s been an honor to partner with an organization so deeply rooted in this community.”

For Bird, this project holds personal significance. As a lifelong YMCA supporter, he recalls the organization’s influence on his youth—his summers at Camp Crosley YMCA in North Webster, and the sense of community and belonging he experienced there.

Keith O’Neal, Vice President of Muncie Community Schools Board of Trustees and Lead Pastor at Destiny Christian Center sees the opening as a symbol of hope beyond its physical presence. “This is a dream realized,” O’Neal says. “It will serve our community, improve health outcomes, and stand as a beacon for years to come.”

3 Important Lessons from 2024

Posted on January 20, 2025

An Excerpt from our Q4 Newsletter

2024 in Hindsight

2024 closed out with a flurry of RFPs, client estimates, and owner meetings behind the holiday bustle. As we gear up for the new year, I’ve been reflecting on what our Business Development team accomplished in the last 365 days and the principles we use to stay on track. Here are three key focus areas to keep in mind as we all prepare for what’s next in 2025:

Manage Your Expectations: At the start of every task, big or small, we made time to sit down and set realistic expectations. We focused on clear communication and took time to understand what’s achievable within the time and resources given. This allowed us to stay productive and smoothly transition between tasks. As we continue to grow as a company and add new people to our teams, this has been especially important.

Collaboration is Vital: Each of us is merely a part of a whole. If we can’t lean on one another in the day to day, we’re setting ourselves up for failure. In the Business Development department, we stepped up our collaboration by appointing team members to act as liaisons between some of our other divisions, giving us the ability to better understand and serve their needs more efficiently.

Adapt and Overcome: It’s inevitable that some things won’t go the way we planned. How we pivot becomes the most important factor. Effective communication and a mentality to share responsibilities kept us nimble as we focused on the goals at hand, even if the final plan didn’t resemble anything like the original plan.

As we step into 2025, I’m looking forward to what it will hold for all of us and the ways that we’ll grow and improve together. Here’s to building on the lessons we’ve learned, supporting one another during both ebbs and flows, and embracing the opportunities the future holds.

Sincerely,

Chris Sosebee

Director of Business Development

New Animal Shelter Homeward Bound

Posted on September 17, 2024

Sharon Bodenhafer Critter Center

Community members, Humane Fort Wayne staff, press, project partners, donors, and local officials gathered to watch the ribbon cutting for Humane Fort Wayne’s newest building, marking the official end of the construction phase and the opening of the facility. Together with donor Chuck Bodenhafer, Jessica Henry-Johnson, Humane Fort Wayne Executive Director, snipped the decorative blue ribbon, followed by a chorus of cheers from an energized crowd of supporters and animal lovers.

Built for All Paws

Sitting at 25,600 square feet, the new facility features:

Kennels with Open Air Access

Cat Colonies with Large Windows

Outdoor Play Areas

Walking Trail

Lobby

Community Education Center

Training Spaces

And More

With more space and resources provided by this new structure, the team at Humane Fort Wayne will not only have more room for pets on their adoption list but also an expanded list of service offerings for the community.

“The truth is this is going to help us unleash love on this community by way of helping homeless pets find forever homes and by providing spay/neuter services and wellness services for more than 30,000 animals in this community every year.” – Jessica Henry-Johnson, Executive Director, Humane Fort Wayne

Continuing the Legacy

For more than 65 years, Humane Fort Wayne has operated in Northeast Indiana, facilitating animal adoptions, educational resources, pet food pantries, assistance programming, and low-cost clinical services. We’re proud to be able to serve alongside as partners in this venture, bringing this vision, which is more than five years in the making, into the real world. We can’t wait to see how animals thrive in this facility built to connect them to their forever homes throughout the region.

“I’m forever grateful to the folks who built this building brick-by-brick, cinder block-by-cinder block. I truly felt as though the folks from Weigand wanted this facility for me as much as I wanted it for my team. The relationship I have and the respect I have for Larry Weigand and his crew is immeasurable. We even have a golden hammer here in honor of Tony Heckman our [superintendent] and Jon Becker our project manager because I really felt like for the last 14 months, we’ve been linked arms, and today they cut the ribbon with me in spirit because without them, none of this would have come to fruition, certainly not in the way that it has.” – Jessica Henry-Johnson, Executive Director, Humane Fort Wayne

Fine Arts School Now Open

Posted on September 17, 2024

Strengthening School Programs

Excitement from many months of anticipation was felt as the Canterbury Community came together to officially open its new Fine Arts Center. Joined by the project team, the board of trustees, and key project donors, the group cut the ribbon, highlighting the final milestone since construction began in May of 2023.

“The campus has transformed dramatically with the Fine Arts Center now serving as a welcoming front door to the High School Campus.” – Larry Weigand, CEO, Weigand Construction

Designed for the Arts

Developed as the central hub for Canterbury’s Academy of the Arts, the new, 18,000 square foot facility has several specialized offerings for students such as:

A Gallery

2D Art Studio

3D Art Studio

Blackbox Theatre

Theatre Dressing Rooms

Music Classroom

Choral Room

Practice Rooms

Recording and Podcasting Studios

Media Lab

And More!

These features allow for a diverse range of artistic disciplines for students to discover, explore, and hone throughout their learning journeys. Not only that, but access to this facility will be available for students in every grade, allowing them to foster creativity at all stages of their education.

More Lasting than Bronze

This tremendous effort strengthening Canterbury’s educational experience resulted in a structure set to make an impact on every student passing through its doors.

“In the building that stands behind us, our students, guided by their incredible teachers, will produce art that will last a lifetime. We could not be more thankful to the Surack and James families, and to all of our donors for your support. You have, in the words of Horace, helped us to construct ‘a monument more lasting than bronze.’” – David Jackson, Head of School, Canterbury School

We cannot wait to see how students’ creativity flourishes through the programs at the Canterbury Fine Arts Center in the years to come!

Fall Semester is Here! 3 Things You Need to Know

Posted on September 17, 2024

An Excerpt from our Q3 Newsletter

Another School Year Begins

Fall is here, which means that another school semester is well underway for districts across the nation. As a former educator and school superintendent, the autumn months bring with them the crisp air and the smell of new beginnings. Students are entering the school year moving up a grade, youth athletics are in high gear, and many school districts are making considerations for future campus projects.

A K-12 Partner

At Weigand, we’ve had the distinct privilege of getting to work alongside several school administrations on a wide range of construction projects of all types and sizes. Whether it’s developing a new building, renovating a student wing, making repairs in an office corridor, or constructing an entire sports complex, we’re passionate about helping shape projects that meet our K-12 partners’ needs where it matters most.

Impacting Education for the Better

As a former client of Weigand Construction during my time as Superintendent at Goshen Community Schools, I can speak to the excitement that came with the completion of every project milestone from the groundbreaking to the ribbon cutting. This year, we’ve had the opportunity to see many K-12 projects at various stages, whether they’re just beginning or getting finished. Be sure to look at some of the amazing education projects our team is working on in this quarter’s issue of the newsletter!

Sincerely,

Diane Woodworth

Business Development Education Specialist

PS: If you have questions regarding construction methods, upcoming projects, or where to start on building a new facility, I would love to lend you a helping hand! Feel free to contact me at dwoodworth@weigandconstruction.com for more information.

Wheel of Fortune Host Snips Ribbon on New Media Center

Posted on June 25, 2024

A Special Unveiling

Donors, partners, and members of the Hillsdale College community came together to experience the new Sajak Media Center, complete with sets and special lighting filling the space! Named after the project’s primary donor, Pat Sajak, the former Wheel of Fortune Host and current Hillsdale Board of Trustees Chairman, the Sajak Media Center is a 6,453 square foot facility with the space and equipment to support Hillsdale’s wide array of media projects.

Before this new facility was completed, the Hillsdale Media Team would shoot their marketing and educational content in a studio in the Knorr Student Center basement. As their operations began to expand, the team’s output quickly outgrew the studio, creating a rising need for a new home for their video production.

A Defining Upgrade

The Sajak Media Center was conceptualized to help not only meet the Hillsdale Media Team’s immediate needs, but also support their growth going forward into the future with features like:

State-of-the-Art Soundproofing

Sprawling Studio with Space to Hold Multiple Sets and Shoots

A Green Room

A Makeup Room

And More

Beyond Better Production

This structure does more than just provide a better place to produce video. It strengthens Hillsdale’s deep library of online education courses that have been accessed by 1.7 million students.

“The center will also allow online learning and the visual arts team to have several sets available simultaneously, which means we can develop a more aggressive film schedule and produce more high-quality courses.”
Jeremiah Regan, Executive Director of Online Learning, Hillsdale College

We’re excited to see another amazing project go up successfully here on Hillsdale College’s beautiful campus. We can’t wait to see how the Sajak Media Center bolsters their high-quality education in the years to come!

New YMCA Hits Project Milestone

Posted on June 25, 2024

Another Steppingstone

Locals, leaders, and community partners gathered in Muncie, Indiana to watch the final beam of the steel frame secured at the site of the new YMCA facility. This step, marking the “end of the beginning” of the construction process, is the first major milestone of the project. Set to be completed in early February of 2025, more accomplishments marking the facility’s progress will follow in the coming months as Weigand and its project partners continue to churn forward.

More Function

Once complete, the YMCA of Muncie’s new building will span 73,000 square feet and feature:

A Community Health Clinic

An Aquatics Center with Two Pools

Weight Room

Exercise Equipment

Gymnasium

And Much More

A Community Effort

On top of many great amenities, the new facility was made possible through the community’s support. Funded by many local organizations and donations, the YMCA will benefit more than membership holders through sharing the Aquatics Center with the local high school and the health clinic.

“This moment embodies the strength of our community coming together to build a brighter future. I am incredibly proud of the dedication and hard work that has brought us to this point, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact the YMCA of Muncie will have on the lives of so many.” – Chad Zaucha, President and CEO, YMCA of Muncie

We are looking forward to seeing this new YMCA building up and running for the good of everyone in the Muncie community!

The Intern to Employee Pipeline

Posted on June 25, 2024

An Excerpt from our Q2 Newsletter

My name is Alexis Gregory, and I’m a Workforce Development Administrator here at Weigand Construction!

How it All Began

The last time you heard from me, I was a first-year intern beginning my career in Weigand’s Marketing Department during the summer of 2023. Throughout that time, I visited numerous jobsites, interacted with superintendents and field professionals, got firsthand experience seeing amazing projects being built, did press coverage for events like groundbreakings, and much more.

Back to School

As the summer ended, I returned to college for one final semester before graduation. My internship continued, where I transitioned to WCI’s HR Department. From organizing career fairs to poring over job descriptions, I gained key insights into HR’s operations. Working on company event preparations and content creation also expanded my skill set. Despite numerous challenges, I embraced the opportunity to learn and grow.

On the Team

This January, I accepted a full-time position, combining aspects of my internship with new responsibilities. I now have the pleasure of attending career fairs, aiding in recruiting future interns and full-time employees, while also creating new resources for training and development. It’s been a fulfilling journey, marked by lessons learned and new experiences. I’m excited to see the internship program continue expanding, with 26 interns set to join us this summer—an even bigger class from the previous year. These interns represent various departments across our entire company, and I look forward to seeing how they impact Weigand Construction’s future. I’m thrilled to play a role in their development as they shape the company’s success!

Alexis Gregory

Workforce Development Administrator