A project that has been years in the making for local veterans, is one big step closer to coming to fruition. Bloomer veterans, donors and community members gathered last week for a groundbreaking at the site of the future Bloomer Area Veterans Center.
In early 2022, the Bloomer American Legion & Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the AMVETS organizations began discussing plans for building a new clubhouse. This year, the Bloomer Area Veterans Center will be a reality.
The Center, which will be located on the same land as the Bloomer Veterans Memorial, has been in the works for more than two years, and the construction project is set to start soon. The building will feature a cathedral style interior which will include a large meeting room and kitchen.
According to Frank Laufenberg, people will also get to enjoy a nice view of the Veterans Memorial from inside the building.
The project, totaling around $1 million, would not have been possible without the help of generous community donors and the local veterans who have worked hard to fund raise.
“We’ve got a lot of donors, and we’re thankful for every one of them,” Laufenberg said. The land was donated by Thomas and Susan Bleskacek in 2004 for the Veterans Memorial, and now the Bloomer Area Veterans Center.
The project is 80% funded. The veterans hope to have the project fully funded by the end of the year. They had some major donors help out, which Laufenberg says has been essential to getting a project of this size done.
Don Nielsen has been a major fundraiser for the project.
“I’ve got to mention Don Nielsen. He’s our number one fundraiser. He’s here today, and we’re glad he’s with us… he wants to see this built, and so do I,” Laufenberg said at the groundbreaking on Wednesday, April 10.
Frank also recognized his wife Susan, who has helped him tremendously while working on the project.
If all goes according to plan, the building will be put up by the end of July, and the inside work will follow. The goal is to have a grand opening for Veterans Day. Ultimately, the veterans want the whole project wrapped up by the end of the year.
The building will be utilized for veteran events and other gatherings. Laufenberg says it will be a great asset to the community that will be enjoyed for many years to come, and he’s grateful to be able to help with the project.
“It’s going to be a great asset to the community and to all the veterans, They deserve it,” he said. “I’m fortunate that I made it back from Vietnam in one piece and able to help with this because a lot of them didn’t.”
After a lot of planning, the veterans are eager to see the project become a reality.
“We spent a lot of time. Like I told everybody, we’ve got one time to do it right,” Laufenberg said. “Everybody put their heads together and helped. The vets have been very good, and the community has been great. It’s been very positive all the way around…We’re very thankful for all the help that we’ve had on this project, and all the generous donations.”
If you are interested in donating to the Bloomer Area Veterans Center, checks can be mailed to Don Nielsen (2601 9th Ave), Frank Laufenberg (18706 82nd St.) or Darren Knutson (1909 Lake Shore Drive).
