TOWER— Weeks of fresh work on the Lake Vermilion Cultural Center have raised newfound excitement for a community project that has faced more than its share of challenges. Now, organizers are focused on raising the additional funds needed to complete much of the remaining work on this remarkable effort to transform the historic St. Mary’s Episcopal Church building into a showcase center for arts and culture.

“We are working towards that wow factor,” said John Bowe, one of the project managers for the renovation effort.

The work currently underway is being funded by a $268,000 IRRRRB grant and should be largely completed by the end of March. The building now sits on a finished basement foundation, with a large addition to make room for future arts and community programming.

“Hammerlund Construction is definitely struggling with this weather,” Bowe said. “But they are not cutting any corners. Things are taking a little longer but that is okay.”

Bowe said this phase of the project has pretty much proceeded as planned, with a few adjustments being made as the new roof sections are tied into the existing roof pitch.

“Architectural Resources has done a tremendous job of troubleshooting in advance,” he said. “No one had any expectation that this was going to be easy.”

Work on this phase included work on the foundation, completing the framing of the exterior walls and roof, closing in the walls and roof, and construction of the elevator shaft. The project also included integrating some building code design issues that had changed since the building had been moved onto the site.

The next phases of the project will get the building closer to becoming the community centerpiece its board has envisioned.

“The underground work and rough framing that has been done isn’t that glamourous,” Bowe said. “But when this project is done, it will be a gem, a showcase.”

The LVCC board is currently working to raise $25,000 that will be matched by an anonymous donor. They have also received a $50,000 gift in memory of Bernice Lenont Adams which will fund construction of the reading room/library area.

Board members Mary Batinich and Linda Haugen said if they can meet the matching grant deadline of March 31, the total of $50,000 will give them enough to help finish the exterior of the building, with shingles on the new roof sections (now covered with underlayment) and exterior siding. The final phase will include finishing the interior and installing all the electrical and plumbing required.

The board has raised a little over $8,000 so far and are “really beating the bushes” to pull in enough to receive the entire $25,000 match.

“We did just receive an additional $1,500,” they said.

In addition, once they have raised the $25,000 and received the matching grant, they will qualify for a $20,000 energy-efficiency grant from the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency.

Bowe said that work still needs to be done to the old church roof, which has two layers of shingles over the original cedar shakes. Those will all need to be removed, the roof area insulated, and new shingles put in place.

“We are not done by any stretch,” he said, “but we are moving in the right direction.”

Bowe noted that the enthusiasm for this project has ebbed and flowed since it began back in 2009. The challenges of incorporating the old church building into the new structure have been a once-in-a-lifetime challenge.

He said this work being completed right now has created a new spark of enthusiasm in the community. He said he is confident the project will be a success.

“We have a team of true professionals working together,” he said. “It is very exciting. I am as optimistic about this project as I’ve been since the beginning.”

You can learn more about this project or see how you can donate at www.vermilionculturalcenter.org.