By Jennifer Theurer

As the main structure of the Multigenerational Life Center nears completion, the city with Pat Hayes, Parks and Recreation superintendent, taking the lead wanted to give donors, supporters, and citizens an opportunity to make their mark on the project. From 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on January 14 everyone is invited to the construction site north of Clay Center Community Middle School for a Beam Signing Event.

“The more we thought about it, this is kind of a unique event,” Hayes said. “We’d like to get as many people there as we can.”

Hayes and his crew only had about a week’s notice that construction progress would be at a point where this event could happen.

“There’s probably some smaller beams and things that need to go into place, but [the beam being signed] will be in the community center portion of the building,” Hayes said. “Once we get through with it, then they’ll put it in place, and it’ll be there for forever.”

The signing will take place near the construction trailer because if it was held any closer to the actual building providing enough personal protective equipment for attendees would have been a challenge.

“That was the good and bad about it,” Hayes said. “We didn’t have a lot of time to plan and make it a huge event just not knowing when they were going to want to set the beam.”