The quarter-century old staircase between the Courage Center Golden Valley front parking lot and the sidewalk/road above was in very bad shape. So bad, in fact, that Facilities Director Steve Guimond and Risk Manager Arthur Kordus were considering having it demolished. Then they found out how many people still used it – including the neighbors at Unity Church who park in Courage Center’s lot on Sunday morning. (Courage Center staff use their parking lots and meeting rooms during the week, in what has become a long-term symbiotic relationship.)
So Guimond asked McGough Construction, the contractor doing the remodel in our Medical Rehabilitation Services area, for bid on a new staircase. Their proposal: you buy the materials and we’ll donate the labor to demolish the old one and build a new one.
McGough arranged to have others donate a dumpster and some concrete, and DeVetter Design provided the design pro bono.
Paul Tragiai, project manager for McGough (and a Courage Ski & Snowboard volunteer), oversaw the project with approval from his boss, Brad Woods. This was their second pro bono project for Courage Center in a year. Last summer they constructed a new ramp to the dining hall at Camp Courage.
“The McGough guys worked days on other jobs, then spent their evenings working on the staircase,” said Guimond. “The result is a staircase built to last 30 – 50 years. We’re thrilled and so are the folks at Unity Church.”
Thank you McGough Construction, Devetter Design and all others who helped!