Top stories: Marsh project, NPAC changes

Editor’s note: With 2019 nearly over, the Van Wert independent has again selected its top 10 stories of the year, and will be including those stories starting today through Tuesday, December 31. After a break to celebrate New Year’s Day, the series will continue Thursday, January 2, with a story on possible important happenings coming up in 2020. 

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

While there were many stories that could make the list of important stories of the year, the stories judged to be the No. 9 and No. 10 stories of the year deal with the Marsh Foundation dining hall/recreation building project, and personnel changes at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio.

The No. 10 story involves changes in top positions at the Niswonger due to retirement. Although Executive Director Paul Hoverman, the only director the NPAC has had in its 12-year history, announced last year he was retiring, that didn’t happen until June of this year. 

Tafi Stober, the NPAC’s marketing director, was named to replace Hoverman, while Kylie Owens became the new marketing director.

Also retiring this year is Jerry Beard, the only Box Office director the NPAC has had in its 12 years, who will leave that position on December 31. No replacement has been formally named for Beard at this time.

Both Hoverman and Beard were instrumental in the current success of the Niswonger Performing Arts Center.

The No. 9 story involves an important project currently underway at The Marsh Foundation campus on Lincoln Highway.

In early May, Marsh Foundation officials broke ground on a new fitness and dining facility. The 15,000-square-foot facility will include a gymnasium, locker rooms, restrooms, a kitchen area, a dining area, staff offices, and storage areas, according to Marsh Director of Education Robbie Breese.

The building was designed to fit in with the architecture seen in the other buildings on the Marsh Foundation campus, although with a more modern interior look, and will include fitness equipment, including weightlifting equipment, cardio machines, and a room for aerobic exercise.

The building will be handicap-accessible and will allow for more fitness and recreation opportunities for residents and staff members. After the kitchen and cafeteria are moved to the new building, plans are to renovate the current kitchen and dining area located in the basement of the business center building.

“I believe it is appropriate to thank George, Hilinda, and Katie Marsh for their vision of The Marsh Foundation in the early 1900s,” said Marsh Executive Secretary-Treasurer Jeff Grothouse. “It is also appropriate to thank all past and present trustees for their wisdom, guidance, service, and stewardship to The Marsh Foundation. Their foresight and fiscal planning made this project possible.”

Architectural-design firm Fanning Howey of Celina is the architect for the project, while Peterson Construction of Wapakoneta is building the facility. The new building is expected to be ready for occupancy sometime in the summer of 2020.