Construction on Memory Lanes, New Sedalia Fire Station Under Way

A ground-breaking ceremony for the new bowling alley in Sedalia, called Memory Lanes, as well as for the new Sedalia Fire station, fire training facility and E-sports center, was held Wednesday at 601 E. Broadway.

Several local dignitaries spoke at the event, including City Administrator Matt Wirt.

“Today, we aren’t just breaking ground, we’re building a future that’s made in Sedalia,” commented City Administrator Matt Wirt in his opening statement.

The construction of a bowling alley & fire station brings new energy to Sedalia’s east side, Wirt noted, adding that the project is an investment in safety, families and the community.

He singled out Sue Heckart for recognition. Heckart provided $6 million for the construction of the bowling alley.

“Sue has consistently invested in people of Sedalia. From the Heckart Community Center and all her many projects, to this very project. Her generosity doesn’t just build facilities, it builds opportunities. Sue represents the very best of what it means to be made in Sedalia -- hard working, humble and committed to giving back,” Wirt said.

“Her legacy reminds us that when we invest in each other, our community rises. On behalf of the City of Sedalia Sue, thank you for believing in this City, in helping us bring these dreams to life,” he said.

“As we turn this dirt today, we aren’t just building structures, we are building community. We’re taking a piece of Sedalia’s past, and shaping it into a new story of progress, pride and purpose. That’s what it means to be made in Sedalia – rooted in history, driven by service, and dedicated to the future,” Wirt concluded.

In his speech, Sedalia Mayor Dawson credited former Mayor John Kehde and the City Council at the time for seeing the potential in the land bordered by East Broadway, East 5th Street, South Hancock and the Katy Trail.

“They had the foresight to look past what it was, and imagine what could be – something beautiful something meaningful, something that serves the people,” Mayor Dawson said.

The mayor also credited Sue Heckart for bringing the project to new heights with her extraordinary $6 million donation.

In his speech, SFD Fire Chief Matt Irwin said that planning for the new fire station involved asking lots of questions of architects, designers, fellow firefighters and other fire departments that recently built their own stations.

“We asked them what worked. What would they do differently. Those insights were invaluable, and many of their suggestions have been incorporated into this new fire station,” Chief Irwin stated. “This facility reflects the best practices in the modern fire service design.”

Irwin noted that the training facility will instruct brand new recruits as well as sharpen the skills of the most seasoned professional firefighter.

“This is something we can all be proud of, not just within the department, but through out the community,” he said. “Thank you to everyone who has helped us reach this important day.”

Get our free mobile app

Katherine Waldrop of Hoefer-Welker then delivered her speech to the crowd gathered in front of a flat-bed trailer.

“This is the most collaborative design I’ve probably ever done in my career. And you wanna know why? When somebody asks me what I’m working on lately and I get to say a fire station, fire training building, a fire burn tower, a bowling alley, an e-sports facility and an aquatics center all in one, and people look at me like, one job? Yes, one job, and that is truly the vision of Sedalia,” Waldrop told her audience.

“It is so forward thinking, it is so futuristic to put all these community functions on one plot of land, and be so thoughtful about how you can expand in the future. That’s honestly the people who are behind the scenes … who were so impactful to this design,” Waldrop said. “The City of Sedalia is thriving.”

Nabholz General Manager Mitchell Findler (Springfield, Kansas City, Columbia)  then took over the mic.

Findler said that work would begin this week on Memory Lanes.

He also noted that Nabholz is also the general contractor for the Parson Arena on the Missouri State Fairgrounds, currently under construction. “Tim Warner is the on-site superintendent and is from this community,” Findler said.

Findler added that there will be at least 20-25 subcontractors involved in the massive project, and they will hire a lot of local talent.

Sedalia Parks & Rec Director Amy Epple then took the stage.

“Today we stand united for a significant occasion, as we break ground for Memory Lanes, a vibrant new addition to our Parks & Recreation Department, here on the east side. This is not just a construction project, it is a significant step towards creating spaces that nurture joy, connection and togetherness, all of which are vital to the heart of our community, especially here on the east side of Sedalia,” Epple said in her speech.

“As we embark on this exciting journey, I must take a moment to shine a spotlight on a remarkable individual, whose generosity has made this project possible. Sue Heckart is a name that resonates with compassion and commitment within our community. Sue has always been known for her giving spirit, and today, we celebrate her significant, multi-million dollar-gift that will fund the building of the bowling alley … Sue, you embody what it means to be a community leader. You see the bigger picture,” Epple said.

Epple noted that her donation “fosters a sense of belonging, building bridges and reminding us all through your actions tat we each have the power to make a difference … your gift shines on and on today and forever, for years to come, even after we are all gone.”

The first thing Sue Heckart did when it came time for her to speak, was to recognize someone else. She led the crowd in singing Happy Birthday to Caroline Hays, who turned 93 Wednesday.

“Memories are the shared experiences that help us form friendships. Memories help us build community by uniting us around a shared purpose. And fond memories comfort us when we need them most. Life is a snapshot of memories. And I hope that Memory Lanes will be a place that captures many memories for you,” Heckart said in her brief, 84-second speech.

“Today will serve as the first of its memories for the City of Sedalia, Sedalia Parks & Rec, and for all. Especially to Amy and her staff, who have worked so hard to make this possible. Memory Lanes is an opportunity to honor the legacy of my parents – Del and Stella Heckart – while investing in the people of Sedalia. Our family funeral home was built with mutual trust and respect between my family and the families we served. In that same spirit, Memory Lanes is a place where the Heckart motto of cherished memories continues on, especially my mother’s adage of ‘We care, we share, we love,’” Heckart concluded.

The 24 minutes of speeches was followed by several groups taking turns turning dirt in anticipation of the heavy construction that will follow at the site.

EDSPC Executive Director Jessica Craig also attended Wednesday’s ceremony and spoke with KSIS.

“Any time that we can celebrate growth in a community is a time for celebration. At Economic Development, we do a lot of industrial development, a lot of industrial manufacturing growth, but you need the community living piece (of it) to be strong as well. So to have this phenomenal ground-breaking, more community assets, it creates a livability opportunity for people here, families here, their children here, it makes people want to move here and thrive here and work here, ultimately,” Craig said.

“So I could not be happier. Miss Sue Heckart has been a phenomenal contributor to our community for a lot of years. There’s a lot of people who have put in a lot of work and a lot of heavy hands, including the City of Sedalia,” Craig stated.

“We want to support any development happening in our community, because it really does take a village and a team to grow our economic base. And having resources like this here for the community for families is incredibly important,” Craig noted.

Craig predicted the new facilities will be game changing for the area.

“Especially on the east side of Sedalia, there’s a tremendous amount of activity happening here. I could not be more excited,” Craig told KSIS, adding that to re-purpose land that has sat dormant for so long is so very important.

“It’s easy to develop land that is completely new and is a green space, but to re-purpose land that has been dormant for so long, yes it’s more work, but at the end of the day it’s right here in the heart of our community,” Craig concluded.

In the top photo, a handful of Sedalia Park Board members are joined by Parks & Rec Director Amy Epple as  they turn a shovel full of dirt at the site for the new bowling alley in Sedalia on Oct. 8.