Sean C. Morgan
Sunshine Industries’ new building is on track for completion by November or December.
“At the start of the year, the project was moving along at a snail’s pace until weather turned in our favor, and then things really took off,” said Bob Dalton, vice president of the Sunshine Industries Board of Directors.
The organization provides a variety of services, including vocational training, paid employment, life-skills training, education and socialization to developmentally disabled persons.
“It gives them a safe place to go every day and build skills for a meaningful life,” Dalton said.
Sunshine Industries will move from a deteriorating 4,000-square-foot facility on nearly an acre at 3714 Long St. to the new one, at 7,680 square feet, on Clark Mill Road north of the railroad tracks on the west side of the street.
By early October, most of the major electrical wiring had been completed by Benton Electric, which also included Internet and communications, Dalton said, along with low-voltage wiring for fire and security systems.
Plumbing in the interior is complete with the exception of finish, along with the front entryway. Double Eagle Construction completed the concrete ramp at the southeast driveway entrance and the patio off the dining room.
East Linn Roofing of Sweet Home two weeks ago on the metal roof on the training room and administration offices. Timberline Cabinetry of Sweet Home was starting on kitchen cabinets, and Paul Lott of L&H Homebuilders of Sweet Home has completed the majority of the wood framing. The new facility’s application for city water services has been submitted and is paid for.
Over the next two months, Sunshine is scheduled to complete all exterior lighting, sheetrock; interior finishes; final electrical, drop-in ceilings; floor coverings; a bio-swale along the south side of the 2.95-acre property to handle stormwater runoff and the pouring of sidewalks along the south side of the building, the front and Clark Mill Road.
In addition, Sunshine must remove the top layer of Clark Mill Road to the middle, across the width of the property, to make grade improvements and install a bike path.
“So we are going to be very busy,” Dalton said. “It seems every two days now the project really changes. I know there are some other small details, but this pretty well takes care of most of the new facility. I really want to get them in here before Christmas.
“I would encourage those in the community who have not visited the site since we first turned dirt over with a shovel to drive by, stop and take a look or take a tour with me so we can show off what has been accomplished by our contractors and volunteers, like Mike Melcher, Robin Miller and Tom Hyer.
“These people are awesome. It also cannot be said enough about the other contributors in our community, like Cascade Timber Consulting, Weyerhaeuser and the many other individuals that have donated time or money to help this dream become possible.”
The new building will give Sunshine the flexibility to expand its services, Dalton said. It will provide more office space. The current building has one room shared among the staff. The new one will include a reception area and a conference room, and the new dining room will seat up to 80 clients.
The new kitchen is large enough to teach home economics to clients, Dalton said, and a laundry room is available for clients.
The project is designed for expansion, including the construction of new shop areas and a greenhouse.
“It’s a value added to our community,” Dalton said. “The more clients are here, the more money is spent here. I think it’s kind of a hidden gem.”
Sunshine has about 65 clients now, Dalton said. Officials anticipate increasing that to 100, serving Sweet Home and nearby communities.
The project was supposed to cost about $726,000, Dalton said, but unexpected expenses mean it’s about $75,000 short.
Grinding asphalt will cost $5,100, for example, he said. “I’ve learned a tremendous amount doing this project.”
Funding sources included the Ford Foundation, the Collins Foundation and the Meyer Memorial Trust. Ann and Bill Swindells Charitable Trust was the first to join the effort. Weyerhaeuser has provided all of the wood.
“I need $75,000 to completely finish,” Dalton said, noting that donations to Sunshine Industries is tax-deductible. Sunshine also may look for a small business loan. “We’re at the finish line. We just need a bump to get over it.”
The project also could use more volunteers as crews get busy painting the interior, Dalton said.
The Kiwanis Club has donated money for new furniture, Dalton said. Sunshine’s furniture is old and worn, much of it dating to the 1970, so furniture donations also would be appreciated.
To donate, to volunteer or for more information, contact Dalton at (541) 912-9085 or Sunshine at (541) 367-2765.
Dalton, who is retired from Weyerhaeuser and whose daughter is developmentally disabled, said his paycheck comes from the ways Sunshine benefits its clients.
He told how he brought a legally blind client, who is capable of detecting light and shadow, into the new facility.
“He says, ‘You know what, Bob, this room is big, isn’t it?’” Dalton said. “Those kinds of things, you know why you’re doing what you’re doing. My biggest enjoyment has been each time our clients or staff from Sunshine stop by for a visit. It is truly these people that motivate me. To see the excitement on their faces or the tears by others who are humbled by getting a building that is long overdue is the best reward or payment anyone could get in their lifetime.”