Tag: Education

Fine Arts Facility Tops Out at Canterbury

Posted on September 18, 2023

Touch Down

This August, we marked a momentous occasion and celebrated the completion of the steel framing at the new Canterbury Fine Arts Center. With an audience that included donors, architects, students, faculty, and staff, our crew carefully secured the final steel beam, a symbolic touch that signifies the culmination of this important phase.

Fostering Artistic Passion

Once finished, this 18,000 square-foot facility will provide students with a dedicated space to cultivate their artistic talents. From visual design to musical performance, acting in theatre to creating stunning artwork, or even recording audio, this center is meticulously crafted to offer learners an environment that will elevate their educational experience and empower them to pursue their dreams.

The Fine Arts Center will feature:

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!

The wide range of artistic disciplines supported in the new building guarantee opportunities for students across a broad swathe of interests and focuses. For David Jackson, Head of School at Canterbury, the intent behind this project was to ensure that education in the arts wasn’t an after-school activity, but rather “a core part of the academic experience…This facility will ensure generationally that Canterbury students, and students from the Fort Wayne area will have access to an incredible arts education.” Jackson recognized the generous donations by the Surack and James families. Their philanthropy funded this $10.5M project, making a way for this dream to become a reality.

The Next Step

From here, our team will embark on the next steps, which involve enclosing the facility. We are eagerly looking forward to the day when students can step into this new home of the school’s Academy of Arts and embark on an exciting journey of creativity and discovery!

Students and faculty watching the ceremony

Worker tightening the final beam in place in the frame

Workers removing the cables from the beam

From an Intern’s Perspective

Posted on June 19, 2023

An excerpt from our Q2 Newsletter

Meet Alexis Gregory!

The second quarter has arrived along with the Summer 2023 Interns! My name is Alexis Gregory, and I’m currently a senior at the University of Saint Francis majoring in Business Administration with a minor in Risk Management and Insurance. Here at Weigand Construction, the culture is unmatched, which has been evident since day one.

This summer, I get the pleasure of working with the Business Development Team as a Marketing Intern. As someone who came in knowing very little about this industry, the people here at Weigand are dedicated to one thing, and that is personal growth. Not only do they continue to build landmarks that impact the lives and communities they serve, but they also help others discover their purpose and set them up for success.

How do they do this? I’ve found in the last couple of weeks that, no matter the skill set or experience level, they never stop asking questions. There are always opportunities to learn more, and that mentality is what sets Weigand apart. Note taking, schedule organization, communication, and people skills are abilities that are remarkably demonstrated here. Every single employee is willing to lend a hand and help out in any way they can. The positive work environment also leaves little room for fear of making mistakes. The culture they’ve instilled encourages learning from your own mishaps and teaching others from your experience.

As an intern in a new industry, it can be overwhelming taking in so much information, and maybe even a little scary. That being said, Weigand Construction makes it their number one priority to instill trust in their employees and anyone they do business with. This assurance is a key value that makes me incredibly thankful that I have the opportunity to learn and grow here.

Alexis Gregory

Business Development and Marketing Intern

Two Eye-Opening Projects Score Wins at the BCA Awards

Posted on March 30, 2023

Two Award-Winning Projects

The results are in! We have two projects that have been awarded by the Building Contractors Assocation of Northeast Indiana. After careful consideration and reviewing the square footage, pricing, building process, functionality, and overall features of our jobs, the BCA has selected us as winners in two different categories:

Electric Works took the “Over $12 Million” Division.
Parkview Physicians Group Electric Works Clinic was chosen in the “$1 Million to $5 Million” Division.

This marks the 20^th year that the BCA Annual Awards Program has highlighted standout construction projects in the Northeast Indiana Region. Electric Works, PPG Electric Works Clinic, Project Owners, and Weigand will be officially recognized during the Spring Membership Dinner & Awards Banquet on April 20^th.

A Team Effort

We’re proud of what our team has accomplished across all our projects in 2022. It’s the dedication to quality, doing what we say we’re going to do, and our commitment to the client that guides us in each and every job we take on. That being said, those values mean little in the grand scheme if they’re not upheld by individuals, crews, and project teams that believe in their significance too. We’re lucky to have a group that’s devoted to integrity at every level of leadership. From workers to project executives, it’s our mentality to go there together that has helped us succeed time and again throughout the years.

How to Set Vision for the New Year

Posted on March 30, 2023

It feels as though the year has just begun, and yet we’re just about to dip into the second quarter! This is a perfect time to check-in on yearly goals and see how they’re coming along.

For me, as I review both personal and team goals, my focus is always on the team first. For South Bend, my goal continues to be growing the Weigand “brand”. With not having a 116-year history like Fort Wayne, and not being as recognized regionally, I’m constantly looking for ways to increase awareness of our name. Some of these initiatives are strategic social media posts, community service days with a local not-for-profit, and using our new K-12 Scholarship Program in partnering with local school corporations.

On a personal level, I remind myself to look at the larger picture. Each Weigand team member is busy dealing with the day-to-day whirlwind that we all live in. I can often get sucked into daily tasks requiring my full attention, and before I know it, a month or two has gone by and I’ve lost perspective. It’s important that I step back from time to time and remember the bigger goal.

What about you? What’s important for you to keep in mind when you’re on the clock? Make time to gain context with your goals this year; it can help you reach them more consistently!

Mike Miller

Business Development Associate

Exciting Ministry Unleashes Hope for Community

Posted on March 21, 2023

Raising Shovels for Hope

Bridge of Grace leadership, donors, and committee members gleefully tossed soil with shovels in hand, officially breaking ground for the ministry’s new Early Childhood Development Center and Comprehensive Health Clinic this March. A piece to a bigger puzzle, the project is part of their “Hope Unleashed” Capital Campaign. The 30,000 square foot building will serve the Mount-Vernon Park and Pettit-Rudisill neighborhoods in Southeast Fort Wayne. Desiring to aide an overlooked section of Fort Wayne, groups from across the city joined forces and make this happen.

“We are just so excited. This is a monumental step to be able to have an early learning center provide quality of care for children; it’s just incredible. People here not only need these services, but also, they deserve it.”
Javier Mondragon, CEO and Founder of Bridge of Grace

First Step of Many

“Hope Unleashed” currently raises funds in multiple categories such as housing, opportunity, progress, and education. As a result of the tremendous support shown for the community, the campaign garnered over $13 million in funding with a goal to reach $15 million by the end. In addition to the new facility, the donations cover home ownership programs, local business growth, park renovations, and more.

Bright Future Ahead

Weigand is proud to partner with Bridge of Grace on this project. It’s an honor to be part of such an important job. Although this is just the beginning, we look forward to seeing the profound impact this has on Southeast Fort Wayne!

Concord Unveils New Trades Building

Posted on December 14, 2022

Larger Learning Environment

Planned in lieu of the rising influx of students enrolling in trade programs, Concord Community School’s employed Weigand’s Construction Management services to build a brand-new trade school facility. This $3.9 million, 10,400 square foot education center houses more students, more resources, and more space for each trade discipline offering.

The Structure

The complex features various spaces designed to support classes such as:

Civil Engineering
Architectural Engineering
Manufacturing
Robotics
Design and Innovation
Construction Trades

These subjects are enhanced through learning areas equipped with the latest technology and training instruments so that students can get a hands-on education with real-world applications.

For the Future

“We are proud to support this investment that will have a direct impact on our students and their ability to increase their industry-ready skills while still in high school…In conversations with local industry leaders, it is clear that having this facility in place to support student learning will set them on a path to success in whatever career path they choose.” – Dan Funston, Superintendent, Concord Community Schools

With the mounting need for people well-versed in trades of all types across the nation, the Engineering and Construction Center will not only benefit the individual careers of students that pass through its halls but will also create value for all kinds of industries that require the skill and expertise of well-educated workers. This will have a lasting impact on learners’ careers, the community, and the economy as a whole.

Concord Engineering and Construction Center

From K-12 to Construction: Dr. Diane Woodworth’s Story

Posted on September 30, 2022

An Excerpt from our Q3 Newsletter

My name is Diane Woodworth, and I serve as the Business Development Education Specialist at Weigand Construction. During my K-12 career, I was a high school mathematics teacher, school counselor, and principal. I also served in various roles in district offices, retiring as the superintendent of Goshen Community Schools. I enjoyed each of the roles I had in public education, as I believe good education can truly change the trajectory of young lives!

During my career, I oversaw over $100M in projects utilizing a wide variety of delivery methods. At Goshen, a referendum was passed to build a new intermediate school as well as an addition to our high school. We utilized the delivery method known as CMc (Construction Manager as Constructor) to build these projects and chose Weigand Construction as our construction manager. I became a big fan of both CMc and Weigand during that final construction project before my retirement. It was the most transparent, efficient, and pain-free of all the projects I have ever been involved in.

Every Weigand employee I met demonstrated high levels of honesty and responsibility. I was not surprised at all when I began working for Weigand to find that our company values integrity tremendously. I have greatly enjoyed being part of a team that continues to “Build landmarks that impact the lives and communities we serve.”

Dr. Diane Woodworth
Business Development Education Specialist

Levan-Scott Academy Project Breaks Ground

Posted on September 15, 2022

“A significant impact to the educational programming here in southeast Fort Wayne…we think it’s well overdue…we’re serving our students in our community”
Dr. Mark Daniel (FWCS Superintendent)

New Beginnings

Earlier this month, we officially broke ground at Levan Scott Academy. With Weigand serving as the construction manager as constructor, this moment marked the beginning of a 43,456 square foot renovation and expansion!

Once the project is done, the school will have:

State-of-the-art heating and cooling systems
Updates to the vents and airways
Specialized, energy-efficient lighting
Nineteen new classrooms
A media center
A cafeteria
Supplementary spaces

A Much-Needed Addition

The final product will be a building that gives space to house more students, and provides extra rooms dedicated to their development. A few of these future rooms have unique learning experiences with art and music designed in the layout! Parents were also considered during the planning phase. As a result, more parking spots and a pick-up lane will be added to help with traffic.

A Leader’s Legacy

The Academy is named after Dr. Levan R. Scott, who was Fort Wayne’s first Black Principle in 1965. He faithfully worked with Fort Wayne Community Schools for 28 years. He advocated for civil rights and equality for students and staff during his time of service. For this reason, FWCS continues to honor the memory of his legacy through the school.

Better Service to a Growing Community

“This addition allows Scott Academy to better serve the community, which is the fastest growing area in Fort Wayne Community Schools,” said FWCS Superintendent, Dr. Mark Daniel, while speaking at the groundbreaking. With this in mind, we can’t wait to finish this new and improved Levan-Scott Academy to benefit southeast Fort Wayne!

Anthis Career Center – Cap Signing

Posted on May 22, 2019

‼️ It’s another Cap Signing Day ‼️

This time from Anthis Career Center right here in the Fort. Congratulations everyone! ✍

Vantage Career Center Signing Day

Posted on May 3, 2019

It’s Cap Signing Day!

We are so proud to be involved in programs such as the Vantage Career Center’s First Annual Senior Career Advancement Program Signing Day! Lindsay Hill will be an Estimating & Project Management Intern, while Reece Bringer will be a Carpenter Apprentice.

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Welcome to the team you two – those fresh hard hats are lookin good!