May 2010
It’s official and it’s one for the record book. Rainy Lake was officially ice-free on April 10th, shattering the previous early ice-out of April 13th in 1998. For many in Koochiching County, the ice-out is the true beginning of the summer season, and the early start is a bonus for businesses, construction, recreationists, and the many snowbirds that summer here. And as we celebrate the arrival of the season, we’re also looking at celebrating another milestone here in Koochiching County – the 100th anniversary of the Boise Paper Mill in International Falls.
In this newsletter, we’ll share with you the plans for commemorating Boise’s birthday. We’ll also provide an update on several of the projects that are underway here, we’ll profile local photographer, adventurer, and raconteur Len Millard, and we’ll highlight one of our true treasures – the Falls Country Club.
PROJECT UPDATES – The new U.S. Border Patrol Headquarters is nearing completion. The 30,000 square foot facility on the riverfront east of downtown International Falls is scheduled for occupancy in June. Johnson Wilson is the general contractor. Meanwhile, on the far east end of the riverfront, construction has begun on the Voyageurs National Park (VNP) Headquarters. The new 30,000 square foot facility will include a headquarters for VNP staff as well as a maintenance storage facility, a docking area, and walking trails. The project is a unique collaboration between the National Park Service and the City of International Falls and is part of the city’s vision for the riverfront development. Kraus Anderson will be the general contractor on the $11.5 project that will include four local contractors as part of the project. The project is expected to be ready for occupancy in March of 2011. Renovations at the Backus Community Center for the third floor as well as the new commercial kitchen were both recently completed. These improvements mark additional milestones for the Backus Center and will help secure the long-term viability of this community treasure. They also were the result of a creative public-private partnership. The third-floor renovation will provide offices for the Northland Counseling Center and Rational Alternatives. The project, including an elevator, cost over $700,000 and utilized local contractors. The kitchen and dining room project came in at $180,000 and is now in service. The kitchen and expanded dining room will allow the Center to host additional functions and serve St. Thomas School lunches. For more information check out the Backus website – www.backusab.org.
