Tomah Activities Guide 2020 127768 Tomah Chamber_web | Page 6

HISTORY OF OUR BUILDING The Tomah Chamber & Visitors Center helps to promote pivotal community events and cultivate our community and businesses. We do this by partnering with businesses in the area and working with our municipality and residents. Years ago, we recognized that the location we were in no longer met our needs, so we began exploring options to relocate. In 2015, around the timeframe in which we were searching for a new home, the City of Tomah approached us with an opportunity that we could not pass up. The DNR had recently announced to the City of Tomah they would be vacating the 1930s DNR Ranger Station located at 310. N. Superior Ave. The building was of the utmost interest to us. Not only was the location ideal, but the historical nature of the building provided significant value to meet our purpose and needs. The DNR Ranger Station was constructed in the 1930s, and we recognized it would present a significant challenge to renovate; however, the Tomah Chamber & Visitors Center was willing to undertake this challenge. We began working with an architect in 2015 and began renovations in 2016. As we considered renovation plans, we wanted to make sure the building design preserved Tomah's history and the original intention of the building, a DNR Ranger Station. The building needed to tell people that this is a Chamber of Commerce: serving, supporting, and advocating for the local business community, as well as a Convention & Visitors Bureau: Working to increase tourism and promote Tomah as a destination. We did just that. The renovation took about one year, and upon completion, the Tomah Chamber & Visitors Center relocated to its new home in June of 2017. We are proud of our home, which is visited daily by both residents and visitors. We are fortunate to serve as the information beacon of all things Tomah and look forward to continue executing on our scope of work by fostering community involvement and cultivating a business environment that will ensure Tomah’s growth. 6