Category: Weigand News

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.”

9 Features of New Fairfield Facility

Posted on January 20, 2025

A New Chapter

Students, project partners, and school faculty gathered to kick off construction of their new Student Activity Center. Members of the architectural team, school facilities, and our own construction team took to the podium to speak. Sharing the origins of this exciting addition and its benefits, the ceremony finished with students, teachers, and administrators digging up fresh dirt, officially beginning the building phase.

“We are so ecstatic to get this off the ground. I would also like to show our gratitude to Weigand Construction and Garmin Miller…the quality and dedication that Weigand and Garmin Miller have brought to the table for Fairfield Community Schools has been extremely, extremely professional.” – Carrie Cannon, Superintendent, Fairfield Community Schools

The Breakdown

Part of a $30M project that packages renovations and improvements to Fairfield’s existing campus, The Student Activity Center will include:

Two Stories

Two Lane Track

Bleacher Section with 640 Seats

Batting Cages

Mezzanine

Lobby

Basketball Courts

Volleyball Courts

Multi-Use Spaces for Events and After School Programs

One challenge the school faces is the lack of room for clubs, workshops, and sports team practices. Fairfield administrators noted that these features would play a vital role in supporting the school’s extracurricular activities, creating more space for large groups to meet for academic and athletic purposes.

Serving the Community

Seeing the potential of what a project like this could do for the community, it was crucial that our team bring the best building solutions possible to the table. We’re encouraged by the passion and involvement the Fairfield Community demonstrated over the course of planning this project.

“We heard about this project back in December of 2022…in that timeframe we’ve witnessed a tremendous amount of involvement from this community, and there’s no doubt that you all care greatly about what we’re doing here. At Weigand, our why is that we build landmarks that impact the lives and communities that we serve, and there’s no doubt that’s what we’re doing here and I’m grateful to be a part of it.” – Aaron Holy, Director of Operations South Bend, Weigand Construction

U.S. Senator Speaks on Elex

Posted on January 20, 2025

The Next Phase

A new addition is on the way to the landmark Electric Works redevelopment. Project stakeholders, politicians, contractors, and the local community gathered to commemorate ongoing construction of the next stage of the EW Campus: The Elex. Bringing several important commodities to the region, the completed project includes:

296 Residential Units
89 Affordable Housing Units
Parking Garage
Private Courtyard
Fitness Center
Early Childhood Learning Center
Commercial and Retail Space

A Piece of the Past

Calling back to the campus’ former roots, the development is named after G.E.’s female employee group known as The Elex Club. The term “elex” is Latin for electric. First established in 1916, the collective operated as a philanthropic organization for many decades in order “to promote social and educational activities, to foster the spirit of friendly service, and to stand for the highest ideals of womanhood [Elex Club. (1998). Elex Club History, 1916-1998 (p. 3)].”

Going even further back, the group took its name from what used to be a local women’s basketball team. The players eventually became the founding members of the club itself. To celebrate this special era of local history, a special bouquet of pink roses was produced and placed in front of the podium during the commemoration.

A Win for the Community

89 total units are dedicated to affordable housing. 47 of them set aside for those over the age of 55. Another 20 are for those with developmental disabilities. This ensures the Elex will have the capacity to support people at all stages of life.

U.S. Senator Todd Young addresses ceremony guests.

“Housing costs are high, and across the country, communities are trying to figure out ways to revitalize downtowns and make housing more affordable…That’s why The Elex is a big win for Fort Wayne. The public-private partnerships that have made Electric Works a reality can serve as a model for communities looking to increase housing options and improve their quality of place.” – Todd Young, U.S. Senator

We look forward to expanding the Electric Works Campus with this new phase, bringing the vision of The Elex and a thriving community to life!

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

VP 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

Exciting Addition to Knights Campus

Posted on September 17, 2024

Ready for Fall

The Norwell community was elated as we celebrated the opening of their new middle school building. Joined by project partners Schmidt Architects, ERI, and Weigand Construction, Superintendent Mike Springer noted that collaboration helped to bring this project together. Not only so, but our team delivered this building more than a month ahead of schedule. This ensured that faculty and staff would have ample time to transfer their offices and arrange their classrooms well before the start of the fall semester.

Students Welcome

The new two-floor, 160,000 square foot middle school building is fitted to help meet current and future space needs as its student influx grows with features such as:

Media Center

Band and Choir Rooms

Art Classrooms

Commons Spaces

Science Classrooms

Multipurpose Rooms

Resource Rooms

Intense Intervention Classrooms

Sensory Room

Skills Development

Dedicated Alternative School Space

Office Wing

And More

This project also included some new additions and renovations to the existing baseball and football fields on the campus sports complex. These included:

Steel Archway Entrance

Football Building with Concessions, Bathrooms, and Ticket Booth

Baseball Building with Concessions, Bathrooms, and Ticket Booth

These features set Norwell Middle School up for success with future education programs, student learning experiences, and improved daily operations. Prepared to address a wide range of needs both academic and athletic, students and faculty can now enjoy the many benefits that their brand-new facility offers.

Proud Partner

We’re excited to have played a role in taking this amazing project from a blueprint to real bricks and mortar. Our team is currently hard at work on Phase II of this project, which will involve demolition and renovation of the old middle school building.

Upcoming Music Project Name Revealed

Posted on September 17, 2024

A Song not yet Written

A sound of hope and anticipation echoed through many in the Purdue Fort Wayne community as they witnessed the official construction kickoff for their new music center addition. The Surack-Sweetwater Music Industry Building, whose name was unveiled at the ceremony, is the fulfillment of a vision first set in 2018 when the School of Music first opened at PFW.

A Best-in-Class Facility

The Surack-Sweetwater Music Industry Building will act as an addition to the Rhinehart Music Center, providing more studio, rehearsal, and classroom space with a focus on recording, mixing, and mastering music. The $25M, 26,000 square foot building will have:

Two Studios

Rehearsal Rooms

Storage Spaces

Equipment Checkout

Editing Rooms

Classrooms

Office and Conference Space

Tracking Room

Isolation Rooms

And More

Sporting a modern, sleek design that still captures the overall look and feel of PFW’s larger campus, students will have access to industry-level technology, helping fine tune their sound as they learn to produce professional audio.

Made Possible Through Donors

This project moved forward through the coordinated efforts of contributors such as the Auer Foundation and the Surack Family, as well as many private donors. The Indiana General Assembly also played a role in securing funding by apportioning their budget to offset a large portion of the construction cost.

Construction Phase Now Online

We are excited to begin building this incredible new addition to the PFW Music Center. We’re humbled to have the opportunity to once again partner with PFW and Design Collaborative on this amazing project for the benefit of students, faculty, and the music industry in Fort Wayne as a whole. Here’s to building landmarks that impact the lives and communities we serve!

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.