MANKATO — The vision for the future of VINE Faith in Action has been set, and the adult community center is getting an upgrade thanks to the financial support of a Mankato couple.
Soon almost every floor in the building and the outdoor space will be renovated in some aspect.
The project has been made possible with the help of Mankato residents Jim and Jennie Ward, whose identity was revealed during a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday.
Their $3 million gift means the project can start right away.
Outside, members can expect increased parking, more accessibility to the building and a drive-up canopy so those who take the mobility bus won’t be exposed to the elements.
Indoors, visitors will soon notice a more welcoming lobby, updated and added fitness areas and more, including a zen-like yoga and meditation space.
Additionally, crews will equip the building with accessibility features such as a single-use ADA bathroom, automatic door openers and more.
North Mankato resident Peggy Kreber, who has been a VINE member since she retired around 2010, said she believes the renovations will be helpful as more and more members join.
“Any improvements we can make are great,” she said. “It was great. I had heard about the angel donor, and now we know who they are and it’s like wow, what a wonderful gift.”
Donor Jennie Ward, a VINE member herself, said she and husband Jim have been looking for something to support that would fulfill their path as they age. “That would honor our community and also honor some of the members of our own peer group by providing opportunities, improvements, upgrades,” she said.
She said they’d met with VINE CEO Melinda Wedzina and came to the conclusion that VINE was a good fit for what they wanted to help. “We were moved by Melinda and her skills, her ability, her leadership.”
Jim added they understood Wedzina’s passion for the project very quickly.
Wedzina said VINE lost a significant number of members during COVID, but what they didn’t expect was the growth they’ve had since then.
At their lowest during the pandemic, the organization only had about 1,350 members. Now, they’re over 2,400.
Wedzina said she’s excited about that, and the renovations couldn’t come at a better time.
“We need the parking. We need the enhanced fitness spaces. We need larger presentation spaces. We need more places for people to socialize in the building, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do with this renovation,” she said.
“Things like this don’t happen. In some ways, it almost feels surreal that a couple like Jennie and Jim would come forward and say, ‘What are you thinking about at VINE?’”
Construction begins this month on the East parking lot and fifth, third, second and first floors.
Third floor construction will wrap in June.