OWENSBORO, Ky. (Dec. 28, 2012) — City, county and Industrial Development Authority officials along with general contractor Denark Construction, Trahan Architects and operator, Global Spectrum, are planning for the ceremonial “topping out” of the new Owensboro Convention Center Jan. 10 and 11, 2013.
In building construction, topping out is a builder’s ceremony conducted when the last beam is placed at the top of a building. Topping out ceremonies mark progress and commemorate a milestone in the construction of a building. All tradespeople will join other representatives in the celebration.
“Denark is proud to honor this long-standing tradition and is pleased to have successfully reached this important milestone on the Owensboro Convention Center Project, with an outstanding safety record along with superior execution and exceptional performance by the entire project team,” said Raja Jubran, chief executive officer of Denark Construction. “Special thanks go to all of our subcontractors for their hard and safe work, and our deep appreciation goes to our client for exceptional teamwork and leadership.”
Owensboro’s ceremony is adding a unique twist to the traditional ceremony by allowing the public to participate. The two-day schedule creates the opportunity to allow the general public to participate on Thursday as they will be invited to sign the beam for a small contribution to the United Way of the Ohio Valley. The beam will be on display and ready for signing from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 10, at the northwestern edge of the construction site, just off Walnut and Second Streets.
“We continually look for ways to connect the new venue to the community as it moves forward,” said Dean Dennis, Global Spectrum’s general manager of the Owensboro Convention Center. “This is a tremendous asset being built for the citizens of Owensboro and we felt providing an opportunity for the public to participate in this milestone was important.”
On Friday, Jan. 11, the general public is invited to join local officials to complete the topping out ceremony and view the celebratory raising of the beam at 11:45 a.m. The public will not be allowed into the construction area, but will have a viewing area at the same designated location as the signing.
The final steel beam will be in place behind the podium and speakers. Mayor Ron Payne and County Judge/Executive Al Mattingly will provide remarks and recognize elected officials who helped make this project happen along with subcontractors involved in the construction. Elected officials will be invited to sign the final beam as part of the ceremony prior to it being lifted and bolted into place.
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