projects in record time, was given complete
financial oversight on the project in order
to ensure its completion within the budget.
Pray employees made sure compromises
were not made on the needs of those who
will be utilizing the building.
While Williamson Shriver Architects was
laying out multiple design options to ensure
the building would be cost-effective while
still honoring the must-have elements—a
large kitchen, play room and guest suites—
Pray Construction was helping design an
effective layout and business model.
“We were glad to be partners in the new
building construction for such a wonderful
organization,” says Brandon Grigsby, project
manager for Pray Construction. “When
you meet the people that are served by
the Ronald McDonald House, you don’t
need much more motivation to jump in
and help where you can. After you meet
the people that operate the house, you
understand why they have so many success
stories. Their team really cares about the
community, and they provide a great
service to anyone that enters their doors.”
In 2014, Charleston’s RMH served 2,147
people from 36 counties as well as 16
families from out of state. In the past 30
years, it has served more than 8,000 families
and provided an estimated $380,000 per
year in direct aid.
“The new location will allow us to truly
serve our mission in providing a convenient
and efficient home away from home,” says
Dewayne Dickens, executive director of RMH
Charities of Southern West Virginia. “Pray
Construction’s expertise and oversight took
our dream and made it a reality, and the
architects from Williamson Shriver Architects
worked with our leadership to design a
house that would best serve us now and
into the future. Both companies brought a
wealth of knowledge to our organization. I’m
confident we put together the best possible
team to achieve our goal.”
The new house will be fully ADA accessible
with expanded hallways and doors and an
elevator. It is expected to serve between
400-500 families each year. It is also
equipped with a built-in third floor shell for
potential expansion in years to come.
According to Martin, the interior of the
building is laid out in three main zones: guest
suites, public spaces and administrative
offices. The 14 guest suites are divided
among the two floors, and the public spaces,
such as the communal kitchen, dining room,
great room and children’s play room, are
easily accessible. There is an outdoor patio
with great views of the Elk River, and the
welcome station, located in the lobby where
guests enter through a secured vestibule,
allows the staff to maintain visual control of
the building at all hours.
According to a statement issued by Pray
Construction, everyone involved in the
project has demonstrated great respect
for the importance of the cause. “This is
the type of project that not only provides
enrichment to the lives of the community
as it is being built by local, trusted workers,
but it will be giving back to the area for
years to come as its walls and halls comfort
those who occupy its space,” it says.
Employees at Williamson Shriver Architects
and Pray Construction feel a great sense
of pride and achievement knowing they
assisted in providing families across West
Virginia a comfortable place to stay during
their time at RMH. “It’s not every day or
month or year that a highly respected
organization selects you to be a part of a
team to assist in building a facility that helps
so many families,” says Martin.
As for the partnership between the
building and design companies, it was a
match made in heaven.
“Pray Construction was a great partner
to work with during the design and
construction of the new house,” says Martin.
“Designers and builders tend to think and
approach projects differently. We were
appreciative that Pray understood our goals
and the goals of the project as expressed in
the design. Even with the constraints of the
project budget, they found ways to continue
to include design ideas meeting these goals.
We look forward to working with Pray on
other highly successful projects in the future.”
Construction is nearly complete on the
house, and it is expected to open its doors
in September.
www.wsgarch.com
www.prayconstruction.com