(Estherville)– Hundreds of people were on hand Friday for a groundbreaking ceremony for Estherville’s new armory and wellness center.
General Ron Dardis of the Iowa National Guard told the crowd this project is the first of its kind in the state as far as the National Guard is concerned.
Bill Moreau served as co-chairman of a fundraising committee for the project. He says the fact they were able to raise 2.4 million dollars says a lot for the community.
The armory/wellness center has a total price tag of slightly more than 4.8 million. In addition to the donations, funding is also coming from the Estherville-Lincoln Central School, Emmet county, city of Estherville and Vision Iowa.
The facility will also eventually include a performing arts center to be constructed by Iowa Lakes Community College.
The 29,000 square foot armory is slated for completion in the fall of 2003; completion of the 48,000 square foot wellness center will be shortly after that.
