Tag: Midwest Construction

New YMCA Hits Project Milestone

The Final Beam

Another Steppingstone 

Topping out Site

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 

YMCA of Muncie

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

  1. A Community Health Clinic  
  1. An Aquatics Center with Two Pools 
  1. Weight Room  
  1. Exercise Equipment  
  1. Gymnasium  
  1. 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. 

The Job site crane

“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 steel beam
Beam Placement
Muncie Community
Sharing Thoughts and Remarks
The Final Beam

Another Downtown “Gem” Tops Out

From the Top 

The Pearl, a mixed-used development being constructed at 247 Pearl Street in downtown Fort Wayne, reached a significant milestone today with a festive steel topping out ceremony held at the construction site. The event marked the completion of the structural framework and symbolized the progress made on this exciting project. 

The crew building The Pearl

Weigand Construction and Surack Enterprises gathered to commemorate the placement of the final steel beam, which was signed by the construction crew as part of the ceremony. As the beam was lifted into place, adorned with an evergreen tree and an American flag, a sense of achievement and pride permeated the atmosphere. This moment marks a major milestone of the project, which has been in active construction since the spring of 2022. 

The Pearl will be another gem in our downtown.

Larry Weigand, CEO, Weigand Construction

The Tree and the Beam 

Larry gives some thoughts regarding the construction process

A time-honored tradition for hundreds of years, topping out ceremonies have been a staple of construction practiced by generations of builders across the globe. It is said that the pine tree, attached to the final beam, used to serve the purpose of signaling when wood frames were ready to cover, and symbolized. When the pine needles fell off the tree, it meant enough time passed for the timber to dry and cure. Though it is more symbolic than functional now, the pine tree is a special practice that binds its legacy to the builders that came before us. 

Down to the Numbers 

Throughout the course of the building phase, the construction crew at The Pearl has reached: 

The flag, banner, and tree getting lifted up with the beam
  • Over 11,000 yards of concrete poured to date. 
  • 50,000+ Weigand Construction man hours.
  • Over 100+ Field Staff on site and rising. 
  • 4000+ tons of rebar installed. 
  • Zero recordable accidents or safety incidents to date. 

By late summer in 2024, The Pearl will be completed, creating a new space for residents, employers, restaurants, and businesses to call home. It will feature: 

  • 76 Residential Apartments
  • 5 Live/Work Storefronts 
  • On-Site Residential Parking 
  • Mail and Delivery Hubspot 
  • On-Site Fitness Center 

“It’s going to be a further expansion of the downtown and particularly of The Landing.” – Chuck Surack, Founder and CEO, Surack Enterprises 

“Some of the tenants will take occupancy next year right around this time, and we are looking good as far as finishing up about a year from right now.” – Larry Weigand, CEO, Weigand Construction 

With the project’s slated completion date, we are eagerly anticipating the wonderful addition this will bring to the downtown skyline! 


Chuck Surack signing the beam
Chuck Surack, Lisa Surack, and Larry Weigand observe the beam
The banner signifying the union workers on the job
The final beam getting secured to the frame
Larry Weigand at the podium
The signal to raise the beam is given
The crew looks on as the ceremony commences
The final beam getting lowered
The crew listens during the ceremony

Princess City Fire Station Breaks Ground

Construction Kicks Off in Mishawaka

Weigand team and others breaking ground

Building is officially underway at the future site of Mishawaka Fire Station #2! Set to replace the current Fire Station #2, the upcoming facility will span 23,000 square feet. This expanded space will accommodate twice the number of crew members, feature a versatile training area that doubles as a public meeting space, provide ample room for future staff expansion, and will also be the first station in the region with separate living quarters for female firefighters.

Mayor Wood and Fire Chief Speaking

Additional Features:

  • 12 Individual Dorm Rooms
  • 6 Individual Restrooms
  • 5 Apparatus Bays
  • Occupancy for up to 36 Firefighters

This station holds the promise of enhancing fire crews’ living conditions, fostering greater community engagement, and amplifying the fire department’s capabilities and operational prowess in the region.

Standing in the Gap

The ability to reside in quarters that brings a more private atmosphere at the station creates opportunity for more time with family, which is the backbone of support for men and women serving on the force.

Mayor Wood and Mishawaka Fire Department breaking ground

“Your home family’s the big rock in your life and the most important thing ever. So, we want them to have their wives, kids, moms, dads, grandmas, and grandpas to come see our firefighters at work and be proud of what they do.” – Bryon Woodward, Chief, Mishawaka Fire Department

However, this endeavor will not only improve living conditions for fire teams and their families. It will also strengthen the ability to respond to emergencies throughout the region.

“The need for this investment is being driven by the significant increases in calls for service. The Mishawaka Fire Department reached a new yearly milestone in 2022 by responding to 10,686 calls for service (an overall 11% increase) that included 21,660 total apparatus responses in 2022. This means the department receives, on average, 1.2 calls for service every hour. The greatest number of calls for service continues to be for emergency medical service (EMS) responses. Our ambulances and fire trucks responded to 8,098 (10% increase) calls that required medical care. Mayor Wood indicated ‘This is a significant investment in Mishawaka that will provide increased capabilities for public safety for generations to come’.”

City of Mishawaka

We take immense pride in our partnership with Mishawaka, as our dedicated South Bend Team works diligently to breathe life into this remarkable project.


Mayor Wood and Fire Chief Speaking
Fire teams breaking ground
The groundbreaking site
Mishawaka Fire Station #2 team members
Mayor Dave Wood sharing his thoughts on the new fire station construction
The groundbreaking site with helmets and shovels