| On August 6, 2008 the Pat O'Donnell Civic Center will
celebrate its 25th anniversary as Ironwood's number one
corner stone. It is very fitting that the civic center is
located on the beautiful campus of Gogebic Community College
where side by side two of our most valuable resources stand as
testaments to what our wonderful community can achieve with hard
work, dedication and forthright communication among the various entities
within our community. The Pat O'Donnell Civic Center,
carries the name of a great community leader and its
principle donor, whose Will and Trust provided $200,000.
Other private donors added close to $400,000 to the project
and the State of Michigan, Gogebic County, and the City of
Ironwood provided an additional $225,000, for a grand total
of $800,000 plus. Governmental grants have served as
catalysts, with the total contribution greatly expanded by
private donors.
The total cost of the building was kept under one million
dollars due to purchase agreements successfully negotiated
by Tom Lundin and Joe Davis.
Joe Davis, Tom Lundin and others provided the City of
Ironwood with an outstanding recreational facility of which
we can all feel very proud.
To many of us who have seen major industries fold an
important phase of the planning involved savings in
operating costs, minimizing the dangers of operating
costs.
Many of us have reached the age level that precludes active
personal enjoyment, we can all enjoy that "inner sense of
satisfaction" in knowing that our contributions will benefit
not only present but future generations.
The "Arena" serves the needs and interests of our young
hockey players, but to a very great extent it should
provide an ever increasing benefit to our economy by
exposing our visitors to:
- Favorable educational advantages.
- Family life in a favorable social environment.
- Good outdoors, as well as indoor recreational
facilities, and organized Sports activities.
- Availability of a skilled workforce.
- Existences of facilities for large and small
conventions.
- Good local government cooperation.
The Civic Center is great addition to our economy
and a promise of a better tomorrow for Our Citizens
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