News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Adult and Teen Challenge of the Upper Cumberland’s new multipurpose building is nearing completion.
Executive Director Tim McLauchlin said construction of the interior walls for the 5,700 square foot building is now underway.
“The foundation has been poured. The plumbing is in ground,” McLauchlin said. “The building itself, all the steel and metal has been erected. The electricians are actually there today getting all of their conduit in the ceiling and in the walls.”
Hilltop Construction has volunteered to do the framing for the building that includes a commercial kitchen and can seat 200 people. McLauchlin said construction only faced delays in the early stages. The project needed an inspection from a fire marshal to move forward, but offices were closed.
“I do not think any of the delays that we had were due to any of our construction workers,” McLauchlin said. “We had some issues at the beginning with our plans and getting them through the fire marshal’s office.”
J&S Construction donated all the steel needed and volunteered to erect the building. Also, Cumberland Quarry donated all the rock for the project with Jolly Rogers Trucking volunteering to bring the rock on site.
The initial cost of the project was about $800,000, but McLauchlin said the cost has decreased with multiple contributors donating. McLauchlin said as of right now, a time frame of completion is unknown.
Adult and Teen Challenge of the Upper Cumberland first started with a five bedroom house and a barn. In 2014, the barn was remodeled into a chapel. In 2018, a new dormitory was built to house 20 residents and staff.
The organization offers a residential recovery program for adult women who want freedom from addiction. Residents actively participate in Bible studies and receive Christian guidance while living in a structured and supportive environment.
