Project Manager

For years it’s been known as a Day of Caring, but while the name has changed to a Day of Action and the date switched from September to June, the results are the same; many deserving individuals and groups got help from their community on a wide range of projects from gardening to painting. This year, almost 500 volunteers in Boyle, Mercer, Garrard and Lincoln counties spread out early Wednesday morning to do good after a quick breakfast of donuts and coffee, and in Lincoln County, the workers got some last minute marching orders from Lincoln County Coordinator Ruth Smith.

Construction crews worked on the new College Park Natatorium, which has the steel walls in place and the concrete poured. The view shows a portion of the shallow end leading to the diving pool area. The warm water pool also has been installed. MP Kelly of Richmond is the contractor on the job, and Codell Construction Company of Winchester is the project manager.

Construction workers with MP Kelly of Richmond wired rebar together for one of the concrete outside walls of the building that will house the $3.3 million indoor pool being added to College Park Gym, top photo. Workers are also renovating the basement of the gym for new lockers and dressing rooms. Mark Taylor, right photo, removed dirt while digging a section of the building footer. Work is ahead of schedule on the new pool, which is expected to be ready for use by April 2010. Codell Construction Company of Winchester is the project manager for the pool construction.

The Winchester-Clark County Parks and Recreation Board decided against changing its original structural plans for the pool project during its monthly meeting Monday night at College Park Library. Kenny Davis of Codell Construction and on-site project manager, presented the board with two updated structural options. One of the proposals featured a pre-engineered option that would have resembled a metal building, mixed with a flavor of the original design. The board selected the original facade, which will blend in with the current structure at College Park.

Work on the proposed Dollar General store on Main Street in Danville will resume next week, according to the company in charge of the project. Construction at the site across from the post office recently was halted. Eric Kondzielawa, the project manager for IH Construction, said the delay was due to soil problems at the rear of the building. The new projected date for building completion is Jan. 15. IH drew up the original building plans before Dollar General was involved in the project.

LANCASTER - Two Lancaster neighbors have filed lawsuits against the Garrard County Board of Education and Branscum Construction Co., alleging their homes were damaged by blasting done while building the new high school on Industry Road. Randall and Bobbie Stathers of 418 Crab Orchard St. and Brandalyn Elkins of 420 Crab Orchard St. filed separate lawsuits last week in Garrard Circuit Court. Attorney Paul Long Jr. of Stanford represents both parties. According to the lawsuits, "the ultra-hazardous activity of blasting" began at the school site in September and has continued intermittently since.

Joseph and Shelia Topmiller of Villa Hills announce the engagement of their daughter, Barbara Ellen Topmiller of Lexington, to M. Chase Thompson of Lexington, son of Terry and Sandy Thompson of Cape Coral, Fla. The bride is a graduate of Notre Dame Academy in Park Hills and the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering. She is employed by Lexmark as a development engineer. The groom is a graduate of George Rogers Clark High School and the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Business Administration in decision science and informations systems.

City officials approved a request Monday from Centre College to close College Street for 14 months while Cowan Dining Commons is replaced. The street, which runs through the heart of campus, will be closed through August of next year. The request passed by a 3-1 vote. The existing dining hall, at the intersection of Walnut, College and Main streets, will be demolished beginning just after this weekend's Great American Brass Band Festival. A new campus center will be constructed in its place.

HARRODSBURG - A $55 million deficit in the judicial branch of Kentucky's state budget could postpone the proposed Mercer County Judicial Center project. After presenting the Mercer County Judicial Center plans to the state, architects presented the state's recommendations at a Monday morning Mercer County Project Development Board meeting. The project potentially could be affected by the budget deficit, said Jeff Lilly, project manager for the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Billy Mitchell Fain, 71, of Linden Lane, died Oct. 26, after a lengthy illness. He was a Jessamine County native, son of the late William Fain and Josephine Stipe Johns and Herschel Johns. Billy was an avid golfer, fisherman and sports fan. He spent 40 years working in Southeast Asia and was a former project manager for Pacific Architects and Engineers. Survivors include a daughter, Naresa Fain of Nicholasville, two sisters, Mary Mardis of Ohio and Barbara Craycraft of Nicholasville, an aunt, Katherine Bruner, several other family members, two lifelong and loyal friends, Jerry Abshear and Don Clark.