La Crosse Center expansion reaches rite of signing final beam before it flies

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) — Here’s a way to get on the beam — literally — as the La Crosse Center expansion reaches a milestone.
The landmark opportunity will occur Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 25 and 26, for the “Topping Out” event. In the building construction industry, the event is the builder’s rite of passage when the last beam — or its equivalent — is placed atop a structure.
So, a truss/beam will be placed in the La Crosse Center’s South Hall outer lobby from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday. Elected officials, community leaders and center patrons will be able to sign the beam and become a part of the facility’s history.
Construction crews will fly the beam into place at 10 a.m. Wednesday. The best vantage point, officials say, will be on Front Street behind the center just north of the construction area.
For the safety of signers and observers, masks are required and will be available. In addition, the lobby will be sanitized and disinfected, individual sharpies will be available for signing and separate entrance and exits will be available to allow for physical distancing.
Groundbreaking for the estimated $47 million project took place in December, and it is expected to be completed by fall 2021.

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