A renovation project nearly two years in the making is beginning to take shape in downtown Albert Lea.

Youth for Christ’s The Rock, at 116 W. Clark St., is not only seeing upgrades to its exterior — which are perhaps the most visible — but also improvements on the interior.

“It’s just a nice change up,” said Robin Gudal, director of operations.

Her husband, Greg Gudal, the executive director of South Central Minnesota’s Youth for Christ, said about two years ago he and other leaders within the organization began talking about the need to renovate the building.

The building’s sign was in terrible shape and water was getting in through the front walls, he said.

“One thing has led to another,” Robin said. “We just needed to do something.”

The group decided to move forward with a fundraising campaign to collect $60,000, reaching out to the community through phone calls and newsletters.

The goal was to make the front part of the building more energy-efficient and more resistant to the weather. It should also help reduce utility bills.

So far, $55,000 has been raised.

Greg said initially he and others met with Minneapolis architect Pat Waddick to draw up some initial possibilities for the exterior and at first considered working through a city grant for some funding.

In the end, though, they chose to do the work on their own, working with volunteers and hiring contractors when necessary.

The old windows, doors, awnings and signs have been removed, and in its place are new windows, doors, awnings, framing and stone work. The main sign and exterior lighting have yet to be installed.

On the inside, volunteers and contractors raised the ceiling in the front part of the building to reveal intricate textured ceilings, installed new sheetrock on the front wall and pulled off sheetrock on another wall to leave exposed brick. They have also renovated the offices, upgraded heating and rerun some vents.

Robin said they still plan to install corrugated metal along the wall in the food area, along with new carpet, interior lighting and shades for the upper windows. They plan to purchase new high-top tables, re-cover the pool tables and paint some of the walls.

“It’s a cozier atmosphere,” she said.

They would like to be finished with the work by April 1.

 

History of Youth For Christ