As the city of Chicago celebrates Olympic Week, The Association of Subcontractors and Affiliates is one group that can attest to the flurry of excitement planned for the 5 day celebration. Its members have been part of the over 1 million ‘friends who support the bid’ since the announcement came that Chicago was a candidate city by forming the group Build for 2016.
Build for 2016 was created to foster local allegiance and influence to support Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Olympics. Its collaboration thus far has resulted in many opportunities for its members with a total of 9 ASA subcontractor members and 2 ASA general contractor council members already having volunteered labor, material, and services to the Chicago 2016 campaign, most recently to venues and area improvements for the arrival of the The International Olympic Committee this past April.
One of the most noticeable preparations was the multi-million dollar renovations to the Fairmont Hotel in Millenium Park, where the IOC Evaluation Commission stayed during their evaluation visit. ASA Chicago members were instrumental in building special amenities, stages and desks for the meeting room at the Fairmont Hotel specific for the committee presentations and meetings.
DeLeers Millwork designed and built the six major seating areas, 3 podiums, and desks for 60 people, including the IOC Commission and their staff, plus all of the Chicago presenters. Said John Vanderwall, director of marketing and sales at DeLeers, “We built all the units in our shop, and had to prewire all the electric and technology with only one day to get into the room before they began to rehearse. We used six or seven people to get it all done.”
Bill Whitely of Salamone Builders said, “We were really glad to pitch on. Our three person crew built one of the viewing platforms with ADA compliant ramps at the Lincoln Park Waveland site, and our crew was excited about helping out. We know what this bid means to the city and our economy.”
Another ASA member, Dan Degnan, vice president of Thorne Associates, said,” We were glad to pitch in to help assemble the displays and flags.”
Members worked weekends and on tight schedules to get the job complete, but it was well worth the extra time and effort.
Prime Scaffold president, Eric Ringstad, said, “Our four man crew worked through the weekend before the visit to help erect the flag poles at the various venues that were visited, plus they assisted in preparing the United Center for the various sports exhibitions that took place there. This is such a great opportunity for Chicago, and we were glad to be a part of it.”
Members of ASA Chicago are on the Build for 2016 Committee representing subcontracting, general contracting and professional businesses in the Chicago-area. The Build for 2016 Steering Committee is headed by Judy D’Angelo, President of Jade Carpentry. The committee’s focus is in a variety of areas including labor and unions, contracts, safety and security, diversity, transportation and infrastructure, quality assurance, governance, and more.
The Committee is hosting a breakfast meeting on June 4th, 2009 and will be welcoming special guest Lori Healey, President of Chicago 2016.
With hundreds of volunteers supporting the endeavors, The Association of Subcontractors and Affiliates is proud to announce the following members who contributed to the success of the IOC evaluation visit and provided a world-class first impression upon their stay.
DeLeers Millwork
Divane Bros. Electric
M. Ecker and Co. of Illinois, Inc.
JADE Carpentry
The Levy Company
Mr. David Flooring International
Prime Scaffold Inc.
Salamone Builders
Thorne Associates
Members of the ASA Chicago General Contractors Council:
F.H. Paschen
Bulley and Andrews LLC
International Contractors, Inc.
Those interested in joining ASA Chicago can contact Ginny McFarland, Member Specialist at the ASA office at 847-827-8336.
