CAYUGA, Ind. — Saturday will be a big day for volunteer firefighters in Cayuga.
Ground will be broken for a new fire station/community center thanks to a $500,000 Community Development Assistance Program grant.
Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman and a representative of the state fire marshal’s office will be present for the ceremony.
Dowayne Osborne, a 40-year member of the fire department, took on the project at the request of Fire Chief Tim Wilson. He said Wednesday that he has raised $130,000 locally for the facility. The matching grant only required $75,000.
“We have 15 contractors looking at this project,” Osborne said. “We will open bids at 2 p.m. EDT Friday and take two or three days to go over them.”
Osborne hopes construction can begin within two weeks.
“They say we can be in the building by Thanksgiving,” he said.
The proposed new building will be 150 feet by 60 feet and include four bays to handle six trucks. The land, the former site of a lumber yard, was donated by local businessman Albert Clark.
The fire station will include a small storage room, communications room, two offices and a training and meeting room.
The community center will be available for meetings, parties and receptions.
“It can handle 75 to 100 people,” Osborne said.
Wilson said the new facility was long overdue.
“We have needed a new fire house,” he said.
One of the keys, Wilson said, is that the firefighters can have a meeting without pulling the trucks out of the station to meet.
Osborne said the group received a $50,000 donation from the Vermillion County Economic Development Council.
Various fundraisers have included a barbecue, events at Burger King, a bean dinner, breakfast and through a flier sent to all residents of Eugene Township.
“The community center will give people another option for meetings,” Wilson said. “The only places big enough to handle groups are the Christian Church and the American Legion.”
COMING UP
A groundbreaking ceremony for a new fire station/community center will be at 10 a.m. EDT Saturday across from the present station at Logan and Curtis streets.
Local News
Cayuga to break ground for fire station
- Local News
-
-
Spirit of the West
Museum workers run out of adjectives when describing the “Spirit of the West” quilt exhibit, which opens Friday. “It’s mind boggling,” Sue Richer, director of the Vermilion County Museum, said as she admired the quilts. “It amazes me. They’re works of art, the way they’re put together.”
-
County looks at power deal
Vermilion County Board committee members will discuss a contract letting Integrys extend electric savings to residents now.
-
Six to retire from Danville High
Six longtime District 118 employees said goodbye to Danville High School at the end of the school year.
-
Teacher’s aide retires after 33 years
Jan Kovacic meets the students at Covington Elementary School when they arrive in the morning, and she is the last one they see in the afternoon when getting on a bus or in a car.
-
Fountain OKs nurse position
Fountain County Council members approved restructuring changes Tuesday in the Fountain-Warren Health Department.
-
United Way close to goal
The United Way of Danville Area is in the home stretch of its annual campaign and wants residents’ help in reaching that goal.
- City rummage sale nears
- Home tour helps museum
- Police, Fire Reports
-
Teacher weaves life skills in with lessons
KaSandra Mitchell’s fifth-graders probably think all the cooking and sewing they do in class is a lot of fun.
- More Local News Headlines
-


