Space is a relative thing

We have almost all of our walls in place!

 I was talking with someone about the size of the new facility when all we saw was the concrete slab. It looked not nearly as large as I thought it should. We discussed that, throughout the building process, there will be times that the space looks smaller then expected and then other times when it will appear much larger. 

The next time I commented on the size was when they were building the walls and the space looked enormous. A few weeks ago when the roof had begun to be installed it looked small again. Today, I went out to take some updated photos. I stood in what will become the gathering area that is now framed and thought to myself what a wonderful space for a group of students to meet and learn. I walked the halls of the new clinic area (virtual halls since the interior walls are not all up yet) and thought, “How are we ever going to fill all this space.” In the end, I am not worried about filling the space, as we all know you never have enough space because you can always find something to fill it with. 



In the Gathering and Kichenette areas - view of the Gertrude Sherman Building through the framing

 It seems with the snow on the ground and temps projected to fall into the single digits, that we may never see the completed project. But I’m assured that just in time for the spring melt we will have a wonderful new facility to call home. It really is taking shape and watching the progress and being a part of the growth is really something special. I’m happy to be able to share it with you.

M.G.

Excitement and Progress



Framing has begun!



Well the weather held off just long enough for us to stay on track and schedule. The cement slab was poured and the framing has begun as of the end of November. With the building at this stage work should be able to continue throughout the winter, which is a huge relief to all of us involved.

It also means that we can start to turn our attention to the physical move scheduled for April of 2011. There is no question that this will take a lot of planning, cleaning, organizing and logistics. The off-season this year is probably going to be our busiest ever. This, of course, will put a strain on the staff, but the light at the end of the tunnel is getter brighter and we are all excited about the end result.

Also during this time, we will start working with UW-Waukesha to fine tune, and implement some of the collaborative strategies we’ve talked about over the last year and a half. For so long we’ve been focused on a new facility. But, turning our attention to the collaboration and the opportunities the new facility now presents raises the level of excitement to new heights all around. While the facility represents a new benchmark in the growth of the Wildlife in Need Center, the collaboration represents a new chapter in the Center’s long-term vision.  It’s exciting times at the center and I hope all of you are as thrilled with our growth and progress as we are.  



Smooth-textured and tinted cement will make up the floors in much of the clinic areas.





The view of the structure from the NE (back of the building with the Gertrude Sherman Building to the east)

Guest Blogger M.G.