George Medrek is an “Iron Man” working for many years as a skilled iron worker across the country. Today, he is plying his trade as a volunteer in the renovation of The Hose Tower and is playing a key role in the project by repairing the interior ceiling of the historic building located in the Village center.
Working with heavy sheet metal, Medrek is skillfully matching the original 1939 ceiling which has been damaged over the years. The results are dramatic and his work will help ensure that the original industrial look of the building remains intact. Once he completes the repairs, fresh paint will be applied as a finishing touch to the "retro" look.
“George’s willingness to volunteer his expertise for this project is simply fantastic,” says Historical Society President Ted Mainella.
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Medrek lives in the “S” section of Greendale and has two children in the Greendale Schools. He joins numerous other volunteers who are working hard to restore this building for community use.
“I moved to Greendale for the good schools. With the Hose Tower Project, I am happy to give something back to the community," says Medrek.
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The newly repaired metal ceiling will remain exposed in the Hose Tower’s Layton State Bank Community Room with over 1,500 square feet and seating up to 120 people.
"The flexible Layton State Bank Community Room will be ideal for community meetings, activities, and events of all kinds," Mainella says. “The community room will make The Hose Tower perfect for community group gatherings, ceremonies and receptions, business functions and even art exhibits and performances.”
In 2013, the Village of Greendale’s historic district including the old Police and Fire Station and The Hose Tower were formally designated as a National Historic Landmark.
Substantial completion of the interior of the building is planned for Village Days in August 2013, to coincide with the 75th anniversary of Greendale.
For more information, please visit http://thegreendalehistoricalsociety.org/hose-tower.html.
