Community Projects

Part of the Heart of the North Builders Association’s mission is to donate time and talent to worthy community projects. Requests for community projects are reviewed by the Community Projects committee, and those deemed appropriate for the Association’s involvement are brought to the Board of Directors for review and approval. Organizations wanting the Association’s assistance in their building projects are asked to download and complete the Project Assistance Request Form and submit it for review.

Project Gallery

Picnic Pavilion at Canton Ball Field--2009

The Town of Sumner had materials, but needed labor to construct a picnic pavilion at the softball field. Charter member Don Katterhagen of Katty Kunstruction headed up the project, organized work days, and got the project completed in three work days. Thanks to all who contributed time and/or materials to this project.

Katty Kunstruction (labor) Sunderland Construction (labor) Brueggen Home Construction (labor) DP Carpentry & Remodeling (labor) Watertight Foundation Systems (labor) Haynie Seamless Gutters (labor) Clint Doege Construction (crane service) Don Dostal Electric (wiring) Frolik Masonry (concrete work, 2010) Kurshinsky Drafting & Design (plans) Lamperts--Rice Lake (materials) Hometown Title Co. (workday lunch) Johnson Bank (workday lunch) Sweetwater Sanitation (portable toilet) Todd's Redi-Mix (concrete--2010)

National Lumbering Hall of Fame Tree Walk—2008-09

Construction of a National Lumbering Hall of Fame has been a dream in Rice Lake for decades. While eventual construction of a museum near the new boat ramp above the dam on Rice Lake remains a goal, the Tree Walk is an initial step. The Hall of Fame group re-established the lakeshore on the peninsula and created an educational experience which included the planting of about 70 trees and shrubs. The area will be used by Rice Lake schools and the public.

Headed up by Pat Mattmiller of Dobiehill Timberworks, a group from HNBA volunteered their time and talent to construct, install and stain split-rail fencing, informational sign holders, tree-walk identifications and a large timber-framed kiosk which will house changeable informational signage. Those who helped on the project include Dobiehill Timberworks, Brueggen Home Construction, Katty Kunstruction, Clint Doege Construction, MAC Construction of Barron Cty, Spectrum Painting, and Lampert Yards (donated roofing boards).

National Lumbering Hall of Fame Tree Walk Site, south-east of of the bridge on Rice Lake's Main Street.	Informational Kiosk constructed by Dobiehill Timberworks

Habitat For Humanity—2006

HNBA was approached by Habitat for Humanity in the Fall of 2006 to build a handicapped-accessible house on Sawyer Street in Rice Lake. With winter fast approaching and the deadline for Habitat to complete the house looming, the members of HNBA went into action. Lead by Mike Crotteau of MAC Construction of Barron County, Inc., the house was framed and enclosed within 2 weeks. In January of 2007, a wheel-chair bound single mother and her daughter moved into their new home.

Hunters Memorial Park—2005-2006

A ceremonial groundbreaking held on August 1, 2005, marked a giant step in the commitment that HNBA made for constructing the Hunter’s Memorial Park. The committee’s chairperson, Dan Rassbach of Arrow Building Center-Rice Lake, spoke to the crowd of over 200 stating that HNBA’s goal for the park was to help the community heal by creating an outdoor place where families can be together to relax, play, and reflect. Along with playground equipment, a pavilion with rest rooms and a food serving area, a basketball court and open green spaces, there is also a special memorial to the victims of the November 2004 shootings to “remind us of the active lives they led, and to remind us to focus on enjoying life in the outdoors with our family and friends”.

The official ribbon cutting and dedication for the Hunter’s Memorial Park on North Linden Ave. in Rice Lake took place on Monday, August 7, 2006. At that time, the park was gifted to the City of Rice Lake.

Ladysmith’s Memorial Park Pavilion—2003

Visitors are ready to enjoy the new pavilion at Memorial Park in Ladysmith thanks to volunteers of the HNBA who completed the project in August 2003. The Association pledged to build the pavilion as a way to help Ladysmith recover from the devastating Labor Day tornado of 2002.

Paul Manka of Menards in Rice Lake chaired the project. Major donations for materials came from Louisiana Pacific, Hayward; D.C. Crete; Xcel Energy; Lamperts, Rice Lake; and Menards, Rice Lake.

Eagle Point (Cumberland) Restroom Upgrade--2004

A group of HNBA members have put forth a great effort at Eagle Point in Cumberland upgrading the restroom facility to make it handicap accessible while also restructuring the roof, some walls and the soffit. Work on the project began in early November and interior work was completed in December. A big thanks goes out to all those who were involved in this project. It is in working together that we can grow this association to its full potential in order to be a benefit to not only the members but also the community that it serves.