PARISH HALL: Madrid parish remodels Hansen Hall

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
Feb.1, 2007

MADRID - When the ceiling in the parish hall at St. Malachy Church in Madrid needed work, it was viewed as the opportune time to remodel the facility.

Father Brian Danner, pastor, pointed out that shortly upon his arrival to the parish about five years ago parishioners brought the stained ceiling in Hansen Hall to his attention. Several panels in the dropped ceiling were replaced, but they also investigated as to why there was moisture.

"We concluded through various steps that there was not enough ventilation between the drop ceiling and the roof," he noted. "The dropped ceiling was added to provide insulation because the roof is not insulated."

Once they decided to correct the moisture problem, they began to look at improvements to the entire hall.

"We decided to remove the dropped ceiling, insulate the roof and give the hall a facelift," said the pastor. Plans for the ceiling are to restore it to a modified version of its original design.

Along with the ceiling work, the project includes installing new windows on the north side of the hall, new cupboards, acoustical insulation on the ceiling, new lights and ceiling fans, new doors, paint, installation of a handicap-accessible drinking fountain and the addition of a multi-media projector and screen. The first-floor classrooms will also be remodeled.

While the ceiling provided the motivation, Father Danner mentioned that it was time to undertake such a project.

Last summer the parish was invited to attend an informational meeting.

"We had good attendance at the meeting and once we made the decision to go ahead with it, I established a campaign committee to address how we would create and operate the campaign," he explained.

The capital campaign, which concluded in November, was titled St. Malachy's Church Ensuring Our Future Hansen Hall Renovation Capital Improvement Campaign.

The two-year campaign's goal was $150,000 and $163,000 was pledged. Of that amount, more than $80,000 has been deposited into the parish account.

He commended Barry and Judi Wills and Ryan and Tammy Santi, the campaign chairpersons as well as other parishioners who assisted with the campaign.

"The amount pledged is a testament to what the parishioners value in their parish and community," said Father Danner. "There is a great potential here at St. Malachy's because of a geographic location relative to Ames and Des Moines."

In determining what would be part of the project, the pastor mentioned that he worked with the parish's building and grounds committee.

Since the completion of the capital campaign, the parish has decided to purchase new folding chairs. Money for the chairs has been donated from memorials and other donations.

Some of the new improvements, such as the multi-media projector, will be an asset to the religious education program. That feature might also be a benefit in attracting the space to rent for the community and businesses for gatherings and conferences. The pastor mentioned that they hope to set aside the funds raised through renting out the facility for the possibility of future expansion of classroom space as the size of the parish is growing. Currently St. Malachy's has about 300 families.

"As a parish, we feel that the potential of our location will certainly make coming here a real plus," said Father Danner.

Hansen Hall can accommodate between 275 and 300 people.

The pastor noted that it is important for parishioners to take care of their facilities regardless of the size of the parish.

"Our facilities provide a vital part of our formation and our time together whether it be praying together or socializing," said Father Danner. "I'm very excited about this and very pleased with the parish. I am proud to be their pastor."

Remodeling began about three weeks ago and it is anticipated that the project will be completed in about mid-March. The contractor for the remodeling project is Story Construction out of Ames.

Bishop R. Walker Nickless will bless the newly remodeled hall on March 31. Names of the patrons who contributed to the campaign at the top three levels will be included in a commemorative plaque.