A Little Too Big for the Front Door

Crane Swings Equipment to Hospice Roof

HVAC equipment is hauled up by crane, to the roof of the Lamar Area Hospice headquarters on West Olive Street this past Friday, May 4. This is one phase of a total reconstruction project for the headquarters, funded by donations and grants awarded to the local hospice group to overhaul the former Lamar Hotel building into offices for the non-profit organization.

Hospice Director, Deb Pelly said several months ago, the anticipated day of completion will occur sometime in August. Until then, hospice employees and volunteers will continue to work around the construction as the first and second floors are being renovated. Pelly said almost three dozen people have had to share extremely limited office and storage space to conduct their work through the year.

As well as offices, the new facility will offer several private rooms in which clients, families and Hospice staff will meet, as they offer aid and counseling to area families and individuals. Pelly said there are plans for an open house when the completion date has been finalized. She added that she hopes the new building will serve as an anchor to future downtown development.

By Russ Baldwin