Local apprentices help with construction at Savannah Aquatic Center ahead of May opening
SAVANNAH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Apprentices with the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 45 St. Joseph are helping complete ongoing construction at the Savannah Aquatic Center.
Many of the apprentices are local graduates who chose to pursue careers in the trades. Rick Hummer, a retired pipefitter, said the Savannah Aquatic Center is a great project to work on.
"Our local thought it would be a good idea to help out plus we have a lot apprentices from the area. Their more than welcome and happy to help out," he said.
Hummer said demand for skilled trades is higher than ever.
"All the trades are good. Electricians, plummers, piper fitters, carpenters and so the kids realize that now," he said. "They are getting into trade schools and coming into the apprenticeship program. It's a good time for all the construction trade."
Diane Gould, the Savannah Aquatic Center manager, said she enjoys seeing Hummer mentor the apprentices.
"Just watching him be the leader amongst these guys, and the respect they have back and forth," she said. "I think it's just an excellent opportunity for them to not only work on their trade, but also just to kind of have a time to figure out what it means to be a good person, a good man, to give back to the community that gave them all the summers they were growing up at the pool."
Gould said some of the apprentices working on the pool used to come there when they were younger.
"Seeing all those kids grown up and some of them I didn't even know what trades they were involved in. That's been really cool to catch with some of those guys and reconnect in that way," she said.
Gould said it’s important for young people to know there are many opportunities outside of going to a university.
"There's a lot of cool things, that you can invest your time in and find a career in one of these trades," she said. "That I know they are making good livings, it's a good path to paved their futures. Just to give back to the community."
The Savannah Aquatic Center is scheduled to open Saturday, May 23.
