Category: Uncategorized

Weigand South Bend Holds Summer Outing

Posted on July 2, 2025

Nearly 50 clients, partners, and friends joined Weigand Construction’s South Bend team for a relaxed summer gathering on Thursday, June 26, at River St. Joe, an organic farmstead brewery located in Buchanan, Michigan, just a short drive from Weigand South Bend’s downtown office.

The venue provided an ideal setting for an event focused on connection, community, and shared purpose. “Events like this give us a chance to take a step back and celebrate the relationships that make our work meaningful,” said Aaron Holy, Weigand’s South Bend Director of Operations. “The gathering was all about our partners, clients, and friends. We wouldn’t be here today without their trust and collaboration.”

Guests, including school and municipal officials, architects, engineers, and business leaders, mingled under a spacious tent set among Flatwater Farms’ 180 acres of organic crops. River St. Joe is Michigan’s only farm-to-tap brewery, offering pale ales to non-alcoholic, hops-infused sparkling water: a refreshing choice on a humid night when temperatures climbed into the low 90s.

Celebrating Local Roots and Shared Values

Though the brewery is a relatively new addition to the region’s food and beverage scene, it has quickly established itself as a community-oriented venue. Its schedule features everything from yoga sessions and storytelling nights to homegrown music performances. This spirit of local pride and camaraderie infused Weigand’s gathering, creating an atmosphere that was both festive and purposeful.

“The work we do in northern Indiana and southern Michigan is diverse and focused on creating meaningful results,” said Jeremy Ringger, Weigand’s President, who spent the evening engaging with guests. “What distinguishes Weigand is our dedication to building with purpose and creating enduring partnerships.”

Over the past 20 years, Weigand Construction has made a significant impact across the South Bend region through projects that include schools, fire stations, hospitals, and civic centers. “Each project,” Holy said, “reflects the combined efforts of clients, architects, engineers, and construction teams working toward common goals.”

The open-air setting at River St. Joe showcased the collaborative spirit central to Weigand’s work. Surrounded by harvests of strawberries and green beans, the evening emphasized Weigand Construction’s dedication to creating spaces and building relationships that leave a lasting impact on the people they serve.

7 Upgrades in Newly Improved Courthouse

Posted on June 16, 2025

For more than a century, the Noble County Courthouse has marked Albion, Indiana as a historical pillar in both the town and the greater region. In April, county officials, community members, and key contributors dedicated the building, a milestone marking a new age as it stands to serve future generations throughout the county going forward.

After nearly 140 years of operation with only a handful of updates throughout its lifetime, the facility needed a structural overhaul to continue supporting the needs of the county circuit court while still meeting accessibility and safety requirements. Weigand Construction led the renovation effort as architect American Structurepoint concepted a refreshed space that honored the history of the courthouse and the community.

The Renovation Process

Revitalizing the Noble County Courthouse was a complex task that required a careful mix of gathering sufficient information, formulating an effective plan, and intentionally balancing resources to develop solutions as challenges arose.

Comprehensive refits were required throughout the facility, which necessitated both preserving the historical elements and repairing areas with sustained wear. An example of this was a lack of concrete slab present on the first floor while the surface of third story also needed replaced. To fix this, our team installed a concrete slab on the first floor and poured a special, lightweight mixture of concrete on the third story to reinforce the outdated flooring systems.

Other renovations involved processes such as:

Removing a large metal safe weighing several tons.
Building a specialized scaffolding system for transporting equipment and materials.
Retrofitting the existing elevator shaft to house a new one.
Safely removing asbestos and lead paint.
Undertaking a massive scope of plaster work throughout a significant chunk of the project.
Separating the HVAC unit into more than a dozen pieces to fit it through the doors and reassemble inside.
Successfully tearing down and replacing a load bearing wall with a structural support beam in the second-floor courtroom.

These improvements took an intense level of detailed coordination and focus to meet the required parameters of the job. The result was a 138-year-old courthouse being brought back into compliance with modern building standards and safety protocols, ensuring its ability to support Noble County Circuit Court activities for years to come.

A Moment Marking History

We’ve labeled this project as a renovation, which means to restore something to a former, better state. To breathe new life into it. But what has been done here at the Noble County Courthouse goes beyond a simple renovation. I think our local newspaper editor, Matt Getts, said it best: ‘this project has been nothing short of a rescue mission to preserve one of the most historic and significant structures in our county.'” – Zachary Smith, PE, Highway Director, Noble County

Visit Our Dedicated Project to Find Out More about this Renovation Effort

WCI Interns Fast-Track to the Workforce

Posted on June 10, 2025

An Excerpt from our Q2 Newlsetter

In recent years, Weigand Construction’s internship program has experienced significant growth, a byproduct of the company’s strategic focus on attracting young talent to our organization. By committing time and resources to students and recent graduates, Weigand has built a robust pipeline of promising professionals looking to make a mark in the industry.

From Students to Staff

The results from last year’s internship program demonstrated the impact of this investment, with 100% of our graduating seniors hired as full-time employees. WCI’s mentorship track continues developing in identifying and retaining top-tier professionals entering the construction workforce.

Class of 2025

This year, we are returning with the largest intern class to date, with 37 interns on-site at jobs across the Midwest. Under direct guidance from our trusted division leads, project managers, and associates working on the ground, our 2025 Summer intern class is learning key principles and gaining an inside perspective of construction, laying a strong foundation as they continue building their careers in the years ahead. We’re excited to see where they go in the coming months!

Sincerely,

Nick Craghead

Learning and Development Manager

Weigand-Constructed Chapel Wins National Building Award

Posted on March 18, 2025

Christ Chapel at Hillsdale College, located in south-central Michigan, is gaining national recognition for its classical beauty and the craftsmanship behind its construction.

Built by Weigand Construction, the chapel was awarded Best Brick & Stone Project at the 2025 International Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers (BAC)Craft Awards. This honor places Christ Chapel at the forefront of masonry craftsmanship, highlighting the enduring skills of BAC partners. (Weigand is a BAC signatory contractor, certified in specialized masonry work such as grouting and reinforced masonry.)

Construction of the chapel took place between 2017 and 2019, making it the first religious building of its size to be completed in the United States in over 70 years. The chapel boasts a striking 70-foot facade that leads into a sanctuary accommodating 1,350 worshippers beneath a 64-foot painted barrel ceiling. Eight Doric limestone columns support the entrance portico, while the altar is framed with elegant marble Corinthian detailing. The structure is crowned by a 32-foot self-supporting masonry dome, the largest built in over 50 years.

A Crowning Achievement

“The recognition feels like winning the Super Bowl for construction masons,” says architect Duncan Stroik, who designed the chapel in a Neoclassical style inspired by Christopher Wren and early American churches. Stroik is a founding professor at Notre Dame’s classical architecture program and has over 35 years of experience in practicing and teaching sacred architecture.

With its primary design motif being Doric and enhanced with Renaissance details, Christ Chapel remains rooted in tradition. This choice reflects a deliberate homage to the enduring legacy and spiritual significance of Western architecture.

Strong Legacy in Skilled Craftmanship

Since 1986, the BAC Craft Awards have highlighted outstanding craftsmanship and union service, showcasing not only technical excellence but also the cultural impact of construction artistry.

Christ Chapel is now among the distinguished recipients of this award — a place where liturgical beauty meets brick and mortar and where modern construction revives classical inspiration. Its significance extends beyond aesthetics; it serves as a beloved community landmark. “The chapel elevates the spirit,” Stroik says. “It gives form to faith.”

Strong Foundations Start with Preconstruction

Posted on March 17, 2025

An Excerpt from our Q1 Newsletter

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

As we move forward, 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!

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.”

First Responders React to Cutting-Edge Fire Station

Posted on January 20, 2025

The Mishawaka community now has increased capabilities for first responders actively serving the region with the successful completion of the new Mishawaka No.2 Fire Station. This $11.8M, 23,000 square-foot facility boasts additional space for staff expansion, a large, dual-purpose room for training and meetings, and more.

Additional Features:

Fire Simulation Room
12 Individual Dorm Rooms
6 Individual Restrooms
5 Oversized Apparatus Bays for Fire and Emergency Vehicles
Occupancy for up to 36 Firefighters
Training Room that also serves as as Public Meeting Space
Separate Living Quarters for Male and Female Firefighters

The station enhances living conditions for fire crews, allows for greater engagement with the community, and amplifies the fire department’s operational prowess in the region. It comes as a welcome upgrade from the Mishawaka Fire Department’s existing facility, which is over 60 years old.

“Our old station does not fit the needs of today. What used to be an alarm-dispatch center, we had to put bunks in there to house everyone. It was so cramped. There also wasn’t a female quarter set up in that building. We knew we had to build for the future growth of the department of the city.” – Byron Woodward, Fire Chief, Mishawaka Fire Department

Uncoupling a New Beginning

Two important ceremonies were held during the official opening to dedicate the new building. The first included the traditional uncoupling of the fire hoses. This is a common practice symbolizing firefighters detaching hoses after extinguishing a fire, preparing them for the next emergency.

The second was securing and raising the flag of the original fire station on the flagpole of the new facility. This honors the storied history of the fire department and the legacy of first responders who came before.

Another Community Milestone

We’re proud to have played a role in helping the Mishawaka Fire Department take the next step in serving their community with this new facility. We hope it serves firefighters, their families, and the greater Mishawaka region for years to come!

Discover More Project Key Features and Visuals in our Municipal Portfolio

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