We always like sharing good news – especially when it’s related to architecture. We’ve been busy with several exciting community, commercial and religious projects in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia over the last few months.
Community Architecture
We’re fortunate to work with some really great, really lucky people. Take W. Randy Smith. The former sheriff who won the Powerball jackpot in 2010 and has been giving back to his community ever since. He funded a new recreational center in Inwood, which we were honored to design for the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Parks and Recreation Department. The center was named in his honor, and now, he’s helping expand the building to accommodate the growing community.
We’re excited to be designing the center’s new addition. The 16,000-square-foot expansion will double the amount of available gym space for the center. Construction on the new addition will begin next spring.
Our team also helped the Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Department apply for a grant to build an amphitheater at Sam Michael’s Park. This project really began back in 2001, when we created the original master plan for the park, which included the amphitheater. The community park is just outside Charles Town, and it is home to many receptions, reunions and other events, including a huge semi-annual craft show that our firm regularly sponsors.
The inviting amphitheater will have ample seating for families to enjoy any number of performances and events. On a summer day, you could even stretch out a picnic blanket and watch the show. Our amphitheater design includes natural colors to complement the park’s greenspace.
We also worked with the Jefferson High School baseball boosters, to help raise funds for a new training building for their state-champion baseball team.
Commercial Architecture
We love working for companies and institutions that improve people’s lives, like Rankin Physical Therapy and the James Rumsey Technical Institute.
We designed a new center for Kelley and Jennifer Rankin in Inwood, in a former restaurant building. It is nearing completion and should be open in a few weeks. (Coincidentally, the building is next door to the W. Randy Smith Recreation Center.) For the Rankin’s project, Minghini’s General Contractors has transformed the old restaurant into a state-of-the-art physical therapy center, complete with a therapy pool [picture shown below].
This will be the sixth center for the Rankins, who serve patients throughout the Eastern Panhandle. Their experienced team treats lower back pain, sports injuries, and other disorders. With this new center, Rankin Physical Therapy can provide quality, customized care to even more patients.
Just outside of Martinsburg, in Hedgesville, we designed a renovated entryway for the James Rumsey Technical Institute [picture shown below]. Construction began last month and should wrap up by the end of the year. The new entry will also provide additional security for the facility.
The school offers classes for high school students and adults on a broad range of trades and topics. From coding to cooking, students can step into the workforce with valuable, marketable skills.
Religious Architecture
Religious projects are always rewarding, especially when we get to work with satisfied customers again. That’s why we were excited to hear from our former client, the Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. This fall, we are working with them to enlarge their existing chapel at the Priest Field Pastoral Retreat Center. The building is nestled on the eastern bank of the Opequon River in Kearneysville.
In 2002, we designed a two-story addition for the retreat center. The 10,000-square-foot expansion included a conference center, guest rooms and a suite for visiting Bishops. The rooms overlook the gorgeous river and forest scenery.
We are also helping Trinity United Methodist Church in Martinsburg renovate their church’s kitchen.
Staff Corner
Besides working on great projects, our team has also enjoyed a couple of fun events recently. We sponsored Jefferson County’s Annual Chamber of Commerce banquet, which was held at the Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown. The event recognizes local citizens who have helped brighten the community. Last year, our company won the Chamber’s George E. Vickers Business of the Year award. This was a huge honor, and we’re very grateful.
We also sponsored the Chief of Police Trophy at the annual Charles Town Car Show. The event featured almost 400 classic and antique cars.
And finally, Susan and John enjoyed the annual Girl Scouts Banquet in Martinsburg last week, which the firm sponsored. The event honored several “Women of Distinction,” and one of the honorees for 2017 was Vicki Jenkins, the former principal at James Rumsey Technical Institute.
As you can see, we’ve had our hands full in West Virginia with great clients, rewarding projects and fun events. We enjoy working with the good folks of the Eastern Panhandle.