Lake City Community Memorial Building renovations to be built to last

In 1919, the Ladies of the Lake City Civic Improvement organized a building project that cost $85,000, funded completely by donations for the Lake City Community Memorial Building. The building was conceptualized and erected to honor all young men that had given their lives in war. 

Nearly 102 years since it was built, the purpose of the building was to honor the fallen soldiers that served our country.

The City of Lake City is bringing the building up to date, which will honor the many wars that have occurred since 1919, and to better serve our community. The intent of the renovated community building is to create a more attractive space for wedding receptions and other events in downtown Lake City.

Here are the current projects undertaken for the 100-year remodel.

Phase I consists of raising the ceiling height in the main auditorium eight feet, installing a wood coffered ceiling, a new bar will be installed in the south west corner of the auditorium. There will be new 12-foot high windows in the main auditorium, with expanding the northern area of the auditorium, using the former senior citizens room.

Wood paneling and faux stone columns will be placed around the perimeter of the auditorium, and there will be the expanding and remodeling of the north bathrooms and remodeling the south bathrooms for handicapped accessibility.

The kitchen space will be renovated for better usage, complete new wiring and a new HVAC. The original, 102 year old wood flooring will be replaced with a new wood floor – good for the next 100 years of use.

Also, in the former south balcony upstairs, this floor was leveled to create a space to display veteran war memorabilia and a timeline of Lake City. The main lobby will include a beautiful tiled floor and faux fireplace. 

Phase II of the project will focus on the outside of the building. The committee seeks to replace the rest of the windows, build a patio west of the building and landscape around the building. There will be new limestone slabs engraved with wars since 1919, which will be installed on the two outer doorways that are unused at this time. 

The committee – made up of Paul Iverson, Tami Green, Doug Filmer, Dwight Dial, Patrick Vanderheiden and Eric Wood, City Administrator of Lake City – is currently seeking donations to help with the cost of remodeling. The website where you can make donations is located at www.lakecitycommunity.com.  

A Friends of Community Memorial Building Foundation fund has been set up at the United Bank of Iowa. The foundation is a 501(c)3 organization, should you need to make a tax-deductible donation.

The committee thanks you for considering a donation, as you are an integral part of Lake City and its future. As in 1919, we need your help in bringing the building back to its original grandeur. 

Please consider donating in the name of a family veteran or your family to continue the legacy the Ladies of the Lake City Civic Improvement had started in more than 100 years ago. Your name will be displayed on our donor wall inside the building. 

The building will be a living memorial 365 days a year to all our fallen soldiers.

November 11, 2021 will be the Grand Re-Opening of the Lake City Community Memorial Building. Watch for more details on our website, and here within the pages of The Graphic-Advocate. 

We hope you join us for this exciting Re-Grand Opening!