‘Barn raising’ coming to Community Park

by Staff Pioneer Times
17 years ago

    HOULTON — The town broke ground last week on the new Community Park log building donated by Ward Cedar Log Homes.  The 30-foot by 60-foot building will be used to replace the current park maintenance shop and to provide much need handicapped accessible bathrooms for park users, according to community leaders.
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COMING TO COMMUNITY PARK — Taking part in last week’s ceremonial ground breaking for the new log building, donated by Ward Cedar Log Homes, for Houlton’s Community Park were, from left: Marie Carmichael, Parks and Recreation Department program coordinator; Doug Hazlett, town manager; John Fitzpatrick, town councilor; Jim Berry,  Park and Recreation Advisory Board member; Mike Doody, Ward Cedar Log Homes representative; and Berny Reece, Park and Recreation director.    Foundation and utilities work was scheduled to begin this week and culminate with an old fashion “barn raising” later in September to erect the log structure.  Many area businesses and construction firms are donating materials and services at cost or in some cases free of charge, said Town Manager Doug Hazlett.
    When the log structure is being erected, representatives from Ward Cedar Log Homes will be on site to offer volunteers and observers pointers on how log homes are built, he added.
    Town councilor John Fitzpatrick, who has volunteered to oversee the construction effort, commented that the generosity of Ward Log Homes, and their contribution to the town of Houlton, is “amazing.”
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ARTIST’S RENDITION — Planners believe the Ward Cedar Log Home building, donated by the company to the town of Houlton, will look like this when completed and landscaped in the future. An old-fashioned “barn raising” is planned later this month at the Community Park construction site.
    “It is not every day that you get a brand new building for free.  It is also very gratifying to see the various business and contractors step forward to help with materials or labor.  I think it will be great fun to have members of the community come together for an old fashion barn raising day when the time comes to put the logs in place,” Fitzpatrick added.
    To get involved in the ongoing project, contact the Town Office at 532-7111 or the Parks and Recreation Department at 532-1310.