FAIRBURY, Neb. -- The city of Fairbury reopened its community building with many members of the community coming out to show their support.

The project of remodeling the building took a year to complete but Laura Bedlan, development services director for the city of Fairbury, said there are a lot of renovations. 

“We did the ceilings, we did the floors,” said Bedlan. "We painted, we did a new kitchenette, we have a historic photo display. On the gym side, we have a small walking track and we did a motivational walking trail around there, repainted in there. We added pickleball and volleyball is able to be used in there. We did the bathrooms, we did some ADA doors, windows, gutters and some sidewalk outside."

The gym is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with renting being required outside of those hours. The south room is also rented daily by the senior diners. 

Mayor Spencer Brown is happy with the work of city officials to complete this remodeling.

“Really it boiled down to the city staff who dedicated their time to go out and finding donors, writing grants, talking to our local business people and, basically, asking them to support this project,” Brown said.

Some of the supporters for the project was Westin Package Meat, Union Pacific, Black Hills Energy and others from the community. 

Those from the community not only supported the grand reopening Tuesday but supported the process from the beginning. 

“Huge, huge support from the community and outside funding sources,” Bedlan said. “Both hands on and, also, just donations.”

Brown thinks this could be a nice destination for those in the town and the county. 

“I really think it is going to bring more people into this building,” said Brown. “We are going to get better utilization out of this building, with the basketball court, our dining facility here. It’s going to be great for wedding receptions, it’s going to be good for graduations, big birthday parties, family reunions. I think people are going to find this to be a really nice destination for them.”

The building can be rented by calling the city clerk and setting up a time.