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PIONEER GOES PRIMETIME January 9, 2011 with the LAMPE FAMILY
The family had more than their fair share of struggles, but despite their hardships they still managed to give back to the community by helping children stay out of trouble through mentoring and training them in the sport of wrestling.
Pioneer’s design team comprised of Design Manager Roy Keats and Doug Warwick, got busy working on incorporating the Pioneer log entry way and log truss system into the existing plans for the new family home. Roy worked closely with Extremes designers Kim and Jonathan to come up with a plan that would show the best usage and continuity for the home and to showcase the beautiful “Log Accents”. Once design was completed and met the approval of the Extreme Designers it was now up to Pioneer’s Soda Creek Building Site to begin construction…..it was now the end of the first week in October. Soda Creek Site Supervisors, Beat Schwaller and Sam Petersen along with their crew Mark Bucher, Jesse Steward, Jacob Steward, Keith Guichon and Blaine William had to work quickly to prepare the logs and construct the log truss system and log post & beam entry. Pioneer had really pushed the limits and our crew stepped up to the plate working long hours and even through their weekends to get the job finished on time. The crew completed everything in record time, they loaded the logs and the components onto the Motrux truck to begin the five day haul from Williams Lake to Louisville, Kentucky. Friday October 22nd was the day of the family door knock and it was fast approaching but our team made it work.
Arriving at the build was quite something to see. There were folks in blue Extreme Makeover shirts everywhere…. André was amazed at the number of people who genuinely cared enough to help this family out. Day 1- Friday Oct 22nd (Door Knock Day) Day 2- Saturday Oct 23nd-André travelled all day arriving in Louisville Kentucky late in the evening. Day 3- Sunday Oct 24th-First thing that André had to do was put the character tree in place. Stars and designers of the show Paige Hemmis, Ed Sanders and Paul DiMeo worked alongside André to help lift the tree into place. Day 4- Monday Oct 25th-Was a very, very, busy day with the roofing and framing and sheeting of the roof, and all the sub-trades that needed to be completed.
Day 6- Wednesday Oct 27th -This was André’s last day there. Unfortunately due to other commitments he was unable to stay for the Day 7 reveal to the family and see the bus driver “Move That Bus!!” He went to the site one last time to say his goodbyes. The appreciation was incredible so many people came up to thank him and see “The Canadian who was the log builder” off.
It was an incredible experience for all of us at Pioneer. Not only was there excitement throughout our office but throughout our town of Williams Lake as well. News does travel fast! We are absolutely thrilled to be a part of this incredible production that changes the lives for so many well deserving people.
On behalf of André and all of us at Pioneer, we would like to give special thanks to all of those who made this whole experience so amazing from start to finish. Alyssa, Kim, Jonathan, George, Steve, Erika, Sami, Mercury, Dominick, everyone from Elite Homes, and of course the designer stars of the show Paige Hemmis, Ed Sanders and Paul DiMeo. Thank you. |
The end of September, 2010 began the surreal yet incredible adventure for the Pioneer Team when General Manger, André Chevigny received a phone call from the Associate Design Producer from the production company for Extreme Makeover. At first he thought it was someone pulling a joke on him, in fact he actually told her that he wasn’t interested and that she should phone and bother someone else. Five minutes passed when she called back and said “André, this is not a joke, we really want you to be part of our T.V. Show!” As it turned out one sof the executive producers for “Extreme Makeover Home Edition” had been through one of our Pioneer Homes in Green Bay Wisconsin and loved our master craftsmanship so much that he wanted us to be a part of the Extreme Makeover Show. André and Alyssa had a good laugh before the details of the family were explained.
Alyssa explained to André about this very close knit family from Louisville, Kentucky who were very outdoorsy and nature loving. Jeff, the father, had been in the forest industry his whole life and he and his wife Shelley had six children, three sons, John 16, Justin 14, Dominic, 12 and three daughters, Rita 10, Maria 6 and the youngest, little Angela 3, who was born with Down Syndrome.
Initially, Extreme Makeover’s request was for a single feature log….but after looking at the plans and much discussion between the Extreme Design Team and Pioneer’s Design team it was decided that not only would Pioneer contribute the feature tree but would also design and build, a log truss system & log post and beam entry to give the family a grand entrance to their beautiful new home and to signify them entering new beginnings in their lives. Time was of the essence and there really wasn’t much time left.
André arrived in Louisville on the night of October 23rd, as he had to be at the set and meet the truck the morning of October 24th. Jonathan, the project manager took care of André picking him up and transporting him to and from the build.
Day 5- Tuesday Oct 26th-André took charge and framed the gable ends to accept the log entry. With his two helpers Bobby & Steve assisting him, André managed to set the log entry with literally hundreds of people walking under and around him as it was the main entry to the home. The crowd of thousands cheered as each log was lifted into place, it was pretty overwhelming. The last log was a little tough and when it was finally set into place, André let out a woo hoo that he was finished and the crowd literally erupted in cheers and clapping. André stood on the roof and cheered along with them as everyone seemed to be enjoying the moment.
We wish years of happiness to the Lampe Family as their journey in their new home begins and wonderful new memories are formed.