Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Volunteers led by the Tekoa Fire Department near completion on a new school 4H/FFA ag barn funded by local donations, the school district and a small grant.
The 30x70 painted metal pole building, framed by 6x6 wood boards, is on the site of the original quonset hut ag barn that was torn down in September after the Palouse Empire Fair.
The goal is to complete the new barn in time for hogs to arrive later this month in preparation for next May's annual Junior Livestock Show of Spokane.
The new building is now enclosed, with sheeting in place, the roof on and rough electrical and rough plumbing in.
"Within a year's time, we hope to be completely finished," said Dan Hutton, Tekoa principal, referring to work and details to follow.
The estimated $50,000 project is funded largely by two annual Tekoa firemen's auctions, held each November. In addition, the school district contributed $5,000 and Northwest Farm Credit Services gave a $1,500 grant.
Originally the overall budget was slated at $40,000.
"We'd say, boy it'd be really nice to do this, and suddenly we have another donation," said Hutton. "We wanted to do it right. And the community wanted us to do it right."
For the building materials, the fire department hired a contractor to order the pole building kit.
"We're our own general contractor," Hutton said, noting that Fire Chief Donovan Chase spearheaded the project.
"He had the vision and really got the community involved," said Hutton.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
Reader Comments(0)