WAUPACA COUNTY POST

January 23, 2003

City to Close Deal on Hendrickson Center

By Angie Landsverk, Post Staff Writer

On March 1, the city of Waupaca will become the new owner of the Hendrickson Center.

When the Common Council met Tuesday night, it decided that the building meets the city’s short- and long-term needs.

The council voted to close on the purchase of the Hendrickson Center on March 1.

Ald. Yolanda Perry voted "no," and Ald. Paul Hagen was absent.

Before the vote, City Attorney John hart explained that per the agreement last December between the city and the school district, there were certain contingencies that had to be met, including a structural and mechanical analysis and a feasibility study.

Those factors were discussed last week during a Committee of the Whole meeting at the Hendrickson Center; during which the city learned that the preliminary estimate to remodel the building is $1.7 million.

The feasibility study that was prepared by Strand Associates Inc. of Madison also includes the addition of a second gym at an estimated cost of $1.5 million.

The city had until Feb. 1 to make its decision as to whether the building will meet its needs.

At the March 1 closing on the Hendrickson Center, the city will pay the school district $50,000. The city will then pay the district $10,000 annually for four years.

Perry said Tuesday that the needs of the fire and police departments and the youth have been considered, but asked about the needs of the senior citizens.

"We’re hoping that the Hendrickson Center meets some of the needs of our seniors," Mayor Brian Smith said. "I don’t perceive them moving into the Hendrickson Center, but using it for their activities. Granted, the senior center is not the perfect place for the seniors because of the parking and limited size."

Eric Urtes, who is an architect with Strand, explained Tuesday that once the city takes over ownership, there are accessibility issues that will need to be addressed.

The bathrooms will need to be renovated, an elevator will need to be added at some point, and work needs to be done on finishes throughout the building, he said.

In addition, the state may require that there be a sprinkler system in the building, Urtes added.

The mayor again said that activities scheduled there, such as the art show and prom, will be honored by the city.

Parks and Recreation Director Jim Ash said he will need help fielding calls from citizens who have questions about using the building.

Urtes said that with the remodeling of the building occurring over time, the city will likely be able to temporarily use the Hendrickson Center as it is.

There was no discussion as to how the remodeling of the building will be financed, and the council voted to seek a proposal from Strand Associates for architectural and engineering services for the project. Perry voted no on that issue, too.

In another matter related to the Hendrickson Center, the council voted to eventually discontinue using th eold Armory as a recreation facility, and to then convert the building for police and fire functions.

Ald. Chuck Whitman, who is a member of the fire department, voted "no."

The vote Tuesday night means the Armory will be kept intact, with a portion of the gym someday being used for a drive-through bay for the fire department.

The floor of the gym would be removed, the roof would have to be raised, and the shell of the building would be used for the bay.

The council also voted to spend $2,000 on emergency roof repairs on the Armory. Pro Tech Roofing of Wild Rose will do the work.