A milestone was reached at the construction site of the Onigum Community Center in Walker, MN, on Thursday, August 3, 2017 – the top-out of the exterior walls.
Shingobee is constructing the new community center for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. The walls are being constructed with Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF), a progressive, energy-efficient method. Concrete Inc. of St. Cloud, MN (Shingobee’s subcontractor) constructed the walls utilizing more than 50% local tribal labor. Shingobee and Concrete Inc. conducted training on ICF wall construction, OSHA regulations, and plan reading at the Leech Lake Tribal College earlier this year, to prepare and train local laborers for the construction of this facility.
To recognize this milestone, an appreciation lunch was hosted by Concrete Inc. President Chad Regnier recognized and thanked each of his employees, and a Blessing was given by tribal member Larry Aitken. Leech Lake Band Chairman Faron Jackson attended, as well as members of tribal development and construction, and representatives from Shingobee and DSGW Architects.
Construction of the Community Center started in July 2017 and is scheduled for completion in January 2018.
More information on Shingobee’s experience with Tribal construction projects is available here.