Soni Springs Construction Progress News

May 3, 2013

A major challenge to beginning construction of the new Camp Soni Springs Multi-Purpose Center was realized with the improvement of our existing road over the Marathon Oil pipeline. Once Marathon Oil engineers determined the thickness of the roadbed required to allow passage of heavy construction equipment over the pipeline, no time was wasted by our contractors in completing the task.

Contractors began clearing trees from the new Camp Soni Springs Multi-Purpose Center construction site. Tree parts capable of being chipped will be used as mulch to improve areas around camp. Logs will be placed in a remote camp location until seasoned and ready for cutting and splitting. This will ensure we'll always have firewood for the campfires we all love so much and none of the cleared trees will go to waste!

March 22, 2013

Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana-Michiana is proud to announce the company chosen to partner with us on the construction of the Soni Multi-Purpose Building project is Shelton Construction, Benton Harbor, MI.  Tony Leininger, Carmi Design Group (Edwardsburg, MI) and Chris Myers, GSNI-M Director of Properties and IT will be attending the Three Oaks Township Planning Commission meeting the evening of Tuesday, March 26^th to initiate the permit process for the project. Tony will serve as an  associate architect on the project providing construction management support. He will be working closely with Rick Parker from Brandstetter Carroll, Inc, who will serve as architect of record, as well as with Chris to oversee the construction process.  

February 22, 2013

One of the strategic priorities for the next three years is to implement the Master Site Plan and program plans to make camps desirable, affordable and enjoyable for all members. One of the goals for this priority is to initiate work to achieve parity across the property portfolio in accommodations, facilities and program.

The GSNI-M Board felt that the most immediate need for any of our properties was the construction of a Multi-purpose building at Camp Soni Springs that would serve as a hub for day camp operations. In addition, this building would also serve as a gathering place for girls and volunteers in the area. In August of 2012 and again in November 2012, the Board of Directors allocated funding for this project.     
 
After months of planning, we are very excited to be getting close to starting construction on this building. Brandstetter Carroll, the architectural firm that completed the Master Site Plans for GSNI-M was retained as the Architect of Record for this building. Tony Leininger, from Carmi Design Group out of Edwardsburg MI was retained at an associate architect for the project. Tony and his group will be responsible for construction engineering throughout the project. 
 
This climate controlled building will contain a small commercial kitchen, a first aid room, a trading post (retail area), a small office for the camp operations, and a large enclosed room (capacity 75) connected to a large covered porch (capacity 75). A small wing will have a bunk room that will serve as sleeping quarters for 14 girls and 4 adults. The large enclosed room will also allow large groups to sleepover at the camp on mattresses on the floor. 
 
An invitation to bid was sent to pre-qualified area construction companies last week and a pre-bid meeting will be held at Soni on February 25^th.  Bids for the project will be opened on March 6^th with the final decision will be made in mid-March.  Construction will start immediately with the hopes that the building will be substantially completed by early August (if not sooner). 
 
Throughout the project, we will take pictures and post them on the website so that everyone can share in the excitement of watching this building come to life.  Check back often as we post our progress.