QRU holds open house for work on new facility

Members of the Lakeside Quick Response

Unit will show off the progress on their new ambulance hall and

community meeting place with an open house Friday, Dec. 3.

Construction work began on the

facility, located at 201 Bills Road in Lakeside, this spring and

the basic structure has been put in place. Progress continues on

securing the building for the winter through installing doors and

taking steps toward completing the electrical work.

QRU President Steve Rosso said members

hope to use the open house to give tours of the facility and to

update residents on how far the building has come.

“We thought it would be a good

opportunity for people to see the progress and see what we’ll need

for future funding,” Rosso said.

Building a separate facility has been a

goal of the QRU, which is currently housed in the fire hall down

the street, for many years, and with the donation of 2-acre

property by Lakeside residents Al and Cora Luna a year ago, it was

made possible. Now that the basic structure is in, the facility

will be completed in phases as funding is available. When finished,

the two-story building will include three ambulance bays, a main

office for staff, a 182-seat meeting room, a serving kitchen, an

exercise area and living quarters. The first priority is the garage

and office space so that the QRU can take up residence in the

building.

During the event, attendees will have

the opportunity to fill out comment cards to provide feedback and

ideas for the structure.

“This is an opportunity to see the new

building and see what the QRU is trying to do for the neighborhood

and the community,” Rosso said. “We want people to see the

community meeting room and think about what opportunities might be

there for the community in that space. We really want the community

to be a part of the process.”

While the goal of the event is mostly

educational, the QRU will also be introducing its building fund

program, which includes several donation levels and incentives to

help complete the facility, Rosso said.

Both large and small engraved floor

tiles will be sold to help with the building costs. The large tiles

will run at $5,000 apiece and the smaller tiles will be $1,000. The

QRU is encouraging families, businesses and community organizations

to get together to fundraise for tiles. To encourage smaller

contributions, the QRU will also have plaques in the entry way in

bronze, silver and gold for donations of $100, $250 and $500.

The open house will take place from 3

p.m. to 7 p.m. at the building. Food will be served. Parking is

limited.

Donations can be made at any time by

mail to the Lakeside QRU, PO Box 911, Lakeside, MT 59922.

For more information, call

844-2775.