RELEASED BY: LT. COL. GREG HAPGOOD

     PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER
     OFFICE: (515) 252-4582
     CELL: (515) 971-6385
     HOME: (515) 986-5725

RELEASE: IMMEDIATE

*CORRECTED COPY*
GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY SCHEDULED FOR ADDITIONS/ALTERATIONS TO WATERLOO FACILITY
 

The Iowa National Guard will hold a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday, July 26, at 9 a.m., for additions/alterations to its Readiness Center and Army Aviation Support Facility, 2245 West Big Rock Road, Waterloo, Iowa. Brig. Gen. Mark Zirkelbach, Deputy Adjutant General of the Iowa Army National Guard, and representatives from the Iowa delegation, state, and local governments will participate in the ceremony.
 

The existing 49,000-square foot masonry and concrete building, which houses both the Readiness Center and Army Aviation Support Facility, which were built in 1973, will be remodeled as two separate projects.
 

The public and media are welcome and encouraged to attend the groundbreaking ceremony
 

Construction costs for the 11,860-square foot Readiness Center, is $2.5 million, of which 50 percent will come from Federal funds and 50 percent from State funds. The contractor is Larson Construction, Inc., of Independence, Iowa, and the architect is Architects Schipper Kastner of Des Moines, Iowa.
 

The project adds approximately 10,000 square feet for office, classroom, and storage. The existing facility layout and finishes will be altered to maximize use of the facility, including a new kitchen area, new doors, flooring, windows, and ceiling tile.
 

Construction costs for the 37,327-square foot Army Aviation Support Facility is approximately $9 million, which is 100 percent Federally-funded. The contractor is Larson Construction, Inc., and the architect Wells Plus of West Des Moines, Iowa.
 

The project adds approximately 28,000 square feet of new hangar and allied trades shop areas, as well as a small office addition. The existing facility will also be altered to allow for a more logical work flow. New life safety measures will be added, as well as new hangar doors.
 

Construction will be completed in approximately 18-24 months.
 

For questions concerning this release as well as additional information about the operations, training, and activities of the Iowa Army and Air National Guard, contact Lt. Col. Greg Hapgood, Iowa National Guard Public Affairs Officer by email at gregory.hapgood@ia.ngb.army.mil or (515) 252-4582 (office), (515) 971-6385 (cell), or (515) 986-5725 (home. You may also contact Master Sgt. Duff E. McFadden at (515) 252-4666 (office), (515) 480-7647 (cell), (515) 251-7335 (home)or by email at duff.mcfadden@ia.ngb.army.mil.

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IOWA NATIONAL GUARD
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