Building Type:
Event Center“We’re SO Booked”: County’s New Event Center Has Become the Hottest Venue in Town
When this county envisioned a new event center, they turned to a local Wick builder to make it happen. The result? A stunning building that not only stayed within budget but has also become a community sensation—almost overnight.
Check out the story of the Prairie Land Event Center, then scroll down for all the project details.
What the client wanted
Putnam County wanted a multi-purpose building to host a wide range of events—from wedding receptions and anniversary parties to Boy Scout gatherings. But according to Kristen P. from the Putnam County Conservation District, it was also essential to strike a balance between affordability and functionality.
“We are on a fixed budget. Technically, everything is levied,” she says. “So we had to be within reason of what we could afford for the size that we wanted.”
What was special about the project
The county board and builder Ryan Hartman (more on him below) collaborated effectively to come up with a building that both the county AND the community have come to love. But the building project did have some last-minute changes.
These weren’t problems, however. In fact, two design decisions in particular that were made late in the game have come to define the venue’s attractive, rustic-industrial vibe:
- The exposed timber scissor trusses
- The corrugated steel ceiling
When visitors enter the Prairie Land Event Center, their eyes are naturally drawn upward. And people love what they see. Regarding the ceiling, Kristin says, “We’ve had more compliments on that” than anything else!
Who helped build it
Authorized Wick builder Ryan Hartman from Hartman Statewide Buildings was chosen for the project thanks to his strong reputation in the community. Having worked with Ryan on previous projects, the county board trusted his expertise and collaborative approach.
“It was actually a quite easy process,” says Kristen. “Everything that Ryan has done has made it easier to get the building up and running.”
In fact, “up and running” doesn’t do justice to how well-received the new building has been. “We’re so booked, and we have not even advertised yet,” she says.
Why a pole barn from Wick Buildings was the right choice
Putnam County can now offer a versatile, great-looking building for community events. But by choosing a Wick building, the county has gained crucial advantages in terms of quality. More specifically, the Prairie Land Event Center has:
Superior lumber. To make our buildings stronger and last longer, we use only lumber that meets or exceeds machine-graded specs for all structural components, from trusses and columns to girts and purlins. In addition to the visual benefits of this cleaner lumber, it’s at least 15% stronger than regular lumber.
Durable steel. All Wick pole barns include full-hard exterior steel, with 80,000 PSI hardness or better, resulting in fewer dents. That steel is also G-90 galvanized for better corrosion protection.
High-performance paint. Our paint coating is warrantied not to chip or crack for 40 years and comes in a spectrum of colors. Highlights of the Prairie Land Event Center include beige exterior steel walls and hunter green roof and wainscotting.
Low-maintenance for the long term. The quality components of a Wick building translate to a low maintenance event center for the county—and an exceptional venue for people in the area to enjoy for many years to come.
Interested in a project like this? Find a builder in your area!
