Extension staff settling in at new offices

(Sentinel photo by Beverly Van Buskirk) A spacious counter and work area greet visitors to the new Plymouth County ISU Extension Office in the lower level of the Le Mars Convention Center. Staff members (from left) -- Donna Holck, Ann Schoenrock and Janelle Johnson, were busy getting settled into their new space last week. [Click to enlarge]

Freezing rain and snow didn't stop the Plymouth County Iowa State University (ISU) Extension Office staff from moving to its new office at the Le Mars Convention Center lower level just before Christmas.

"We were ready to go," said Ann Schoenrock, 4-H County Youth Coordinator last Wednesday as she gave a quick tour of the new office space. It is in what was formerly known as the Vanilla and Chocolate Rooms, previously occupied by Wells' Dairy Inc.

The big move started Monday, Dec. 21, and was spent moving boxes from the Extension Office's downtown location, while Tuesday was spent moving office furniture and file cabinets.

The office was closed Dec. 21-25 for the move.

According to Schoenrock, Extension Council members, 4-H'ers and fair board members pitched in to help, using pickups and trailers to move all the items. Also helping was a Le Mars city employee providing a truck.

"The move went fast with a lot of helping hands," said Schoenrock.

The move, which was originally discussed in March, was put on hold due to the statewide reorganization of Iowa State University's Extension staff.

In October, the Plymouth County Extension Council and Le Mars City Council approve a lease agreement for the space.

An Iowa State University Design Team of students led by professor Lois Warme drew up the office plans based on the needs of the local staff earlier this year.

"We knew what we wanted and they were able to work with that," said Schoenrock.

The construction of offices in the space was done by City of Le Mars employees. Cabinets in the workroom and the front counter work was done by Don Neubrand.

The space provides offices for Carol Schneider, Plymouth County Extension Coordinator; Schoenrock; Brenda Welch, Region 5 Youth Program Specialist; and Joel DeJong, Crops Field Agronomist; a workroom, conference room and storage space. Office assistant Janelle Johnson mans the front desk.

Schoenrock said the staff appreciates that everything is on one level, unlike the previous location where storage was in the basement.

"We all have a window in our offices too," she added.

Johnson and the staff also appreciate the larger counter space at the front, both for work space and for greeting visitors.

The lease agreement calls for Plymouth County Extension to pay a monthly rent of $1,000 for the two lower level rooms along with an additional $200 a month for 12 pre-scheduled uses within the building's convention space and "conditional non-exclusive use" of other occupied facilities within the center.

The agreement also calls for monthly tenant payments of $200 for utilities and services. The city is responsible for lawn and snow maintenance, everyday maintenance and supplies.

The lease provided for Plymouth County Extension to complete up to $50,000 in renovations as needed.

Any amount in excess of that requires permission of the city prior to the work being done.

Rent credits from the city will be given to Extension for the renovation without interest within a two- to five-year period.

"We're excited to be here and have access to space for meetings and events," said Schoenrock. "We hope to be able to offer bigger programs for our area residents."

Plymouth County ISU Extension staff will host a Chamber Coffee in the new offices Wednesday, Jan. 27.

The address for the Extension Office is 301 12th St S.E. The phone number, 546-7835, remains the same.