Steve Vencil Celebrates 30 Years!

Prairie Construction recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of one of our first employees – Steve Vencil.

Steve joined the Prairie team as Paul and Frank were just building Prairie Construction. Steve brought his extensive experience as a construction and iron worker, and even a four-year stint as a stockbroker, to the Prairie team. Steve’s expertise in ironworking made him a crucial member of our early team, and he has played a vital role in numerous projects over the years.

Steve is now a trusted project superintendent for a variety of projects. He has managed jobs all over town, and has been a key player on many of the school projects we have completed. The addition of the third base grandstand at Rosenblatt Stadium is one of Steve’s favorite projects. Despite battling significant rain that threatened completion by the deadline – the start of the College World Series. Under Steve’s leadership – we completed the project before deadline!

These days you’ll find Steve at Mahoney State Park. He’s been there since last Fall when we broke ground on the Event Facility Project. Steve finds the quiet peace and rolling acres of the park a nice change of pace from other projects he’s been involved with.

“You don’t find guys like Steve everyday,” said Steve Rease. “He does a great job managing projects onsite, and our crews and subcontractors love working with him, and you always know where you stand with him.”

His experience is invaluable, but it’s his dedication to the team, commitment to quality work and personality that make him irreplaceable.  You always know where you stand with Steve.

“I love working at Prairie Construction, this is a just a great group of hard-working guys,” said Steve. “You don’t see younger guys going into construction like they used too, and that’s too bad because this is a great career!”

Thank you, Steve for 30 years of dedicated service to Prairie Construction!

New Facility at Mahoney State Park

The state parks in Nebraska have been closed for several weeks due to the coronavirus outbreak, but that doesn’t mean there hasn’t been activity at Mahoney State Park.

Prairie Construction broke ground on a new group rental facility project at the park last October, and a transformation of the space has been taking shape ever since.

The project began with the demolition of the existing Riverview Lodge facility to make way for a larger, more modern rental facility that can accommodate up to 300 people. The new space will include a bridal room and will be ideal for weddings and family reunions.

Before construction of the new facility could begin, the ground elevation in the area needed to be completely transfigured. In some spaces, dirt was moved as much as 17 feet higher or lower to prepare for the new, larger facility and parking lot.

Footings are in and concrete has been poured for the approximately 15,000 square foot facility. The new building will wrap around two existing oak trees, and the park’s iconic observation tower will stand next to it, continuing to tower over the highest spot of the park. Spectacular views from the building of the Platte River will make this a popular spot for weddings, reunions and large group functions.

The first wedding in the facility is scheduled for January and we are excited to get walls up and a roof on the new space. Check back for updates and progress on this project!