Fire/Ambulance	Building
Prior Sheds	Still Needed	The Fund Drive

Thanks to many people who donated of time and money, Primghar has a fire/ambulance building suitable for many of the tasks demanded of emergency response men and women. Four bays house the fire department's two trucks, a tanker, and a crew bus; the fifth bay houses the ambulance. The training/meeting room (on the right) is large enough for the squad and emergency personnel from neighboring towns who are training with Primghar. The picture, below, shows that the architect's proposal has been fulfilled.
Below is an architect's version of the building. The overhead perspective shows the building, lot, and highways (Hwy 59 to the east-right; B40 to the south--in front of the building). The project designed by Architects Collaborative, Inc., from Spencer Iowa and built by general contractor B&J Builders, Inc., Primghar, Iowa, has been paid for by 100% donated money and labor from throughout the Primghar private and business sectors, former Primghar residents and Primghar High School graduates, along with contributions from surrounding area communities. Estimated costs for completion of the building (not including over 10,000 hours of volunteer labor) were $400,000.00. The proposed layout shown on the right is simple, safe and functional. Trucks can be washed indoors and filled using an overhead plumbing system. There is room along the walls for storing gear--hats, coats, boots. A secure room, not shown, was added for storing ambulance gear.
	Pictures from Architects Collaborative, Spencer, Iowa

You may still buy commemorative bricks. They will be $125 apiece (See more detail and printable forms). There are additional unfunded needs still to be met that could use your help. As of 6/22/2005,these include:

• STILL NEEDED:

• Landscaping (grass, shrubs, retaining wall, flagpole...)--$3,000

Make checks payable to: Primghar Emergency Service Building Fund.

FUND RAISING

The community wide fund drive began in June 2003; ground breaking was on May 13, 2004; and the trucks moved in April 5, 2005. The formal dedication ceremony was on Jun 17, 2005. One hundred percent of the project was paid for with donated money and labor from the Primghar private and business sectors; former Primghar residents and Primghar High School graduates; and contributions from surrounding communities. Many fund raising events helped. The special efforts included raffles by the firemen of a gas grill and a rider mower and the ambulance crew's fund raising meals. The public bought commemorative bricks, at times&em;several for members in a family. And then there were many individuals who just donated cash--in amounts both large and small. Matching grants by Great Plains Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans helped. Businesses provided cash and in-kind support (listed below). And we can't overlook The O'Brien County Bell's consistent coverage of the progress and needs of the fund drive. Some city labor-in-kind did contribute to the finished building, but for the most part no tax dollars were directly used for funding (tax write off's not considered). Thanks to everyone!

The donors became members of contribution clubs

Donors are listed in the foyer of the building, as are the commemorative bricks. Members of the Cobblestone Club donated their services, some entirely and some partially. If a city is not named, the donor is from Primghar. They include:

This brick wall inside the front door helped build the building. The commemorative bricks were inscribed with the donor's name for a $100 donation. Of the $100 donation, about $80 went to the building fund. View the 459 donors' bricks more closely with links to readable views.

**Construction and Finance Committee: Brad Smith, Jay Smith, Kevin Smith, Randy Halverson, Jim Edwards, Dan Wittrock, Rodd Holdkamp, Susan Smith, Loretta Edwards, Shirley Omer, Maureen Thompson, Joni Irwin, Allen Schuknecht, Sue McCauley, Doug Walvoord, Linda Walvoord, Mary Einck, Jamey Rehder, Darlene Samson, Harriet Tewes, John Kelley, and Bill Wagner