Tag Archives: Recognition & Donor Walls

PEC makes waves with new donor wall at Cambridge SportsPlex

Thursday, 21 June 2018 14:55

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The donor wall at the Cambridge SportsPlex honors all those who contributed time and money to the project.

It took 140 donors to make it happen, but thanks to their dedication, the town of Fairfield, Iowa, has a new gym and pool facility that is improving its citizens’ quality of life and attracting new people to the community.

Originally built 45 years ago, Fairfield’s recreational facilities were due for an upgrade. In 2011, planning began for the multi-million-dollar Cambridge SportsPlex, and it opened in 2016. The 36,000 square-foot-space includes an indoor three-lane track, three full-size basketball courts, fitness area, exercise floor, storage, batting cages, restrooms, and showers.

After the grand opening, the SportsPlex task force committee wanted to recognize the generous donors who contributed to the project. A member of the task force, Kent Whitney, had previously worked with the PEC team and was pleased with the end result of the project. On behalf of the committee, he approached Pella Engraving Company about creating a donor recognition wall.

“I stopped in one day and showed them our ideas. They immediately took to it and got excited about the project. I knew right then we had the company we needed with the capability and passion to create our donor wall,” said Kent.

Kent already had a design in mind, and PEC was able to bring the idea to life using a three-part approach:

Wave-inspired, curving background plates were cut on PEC’s state-of-the-art plasma cutter from 1/8″ aluminum. After color-matching the client’s artwork, these plates were painted in three shades of blue.
1/8″ zinc plates with a pebbled texture were cut on a band saw and painted light gray to showcase the donor list. Donor names were etched into the zinc and tipped in black.
PEC turned to Sadler Sign and Design of Pella for the smallest lettering on the sign. The scale of the letters was too small to be handled by a plasma cutter or CNC machine. Vinyl was the perfect solution. The PEC team pre-coated the vinyl with the task force committee’s chosen shade of gray, and the individual letters were cut by Sadler Sign and Design. This lettering technique was repeated for the sign’s headline to create a cohesive and eye-catching final design.

The donor wall was installed in the Cambridge SportsPlex lobby. It perfectly fills space on a bare wall and improves traffic flow through the building. The task force committee was very pleased with the final project.

“Pella Engraving Company made what could have been a very challenging project enjoyable and stress-free,” said Kent. “The team’s professionalism and friendly and flexible demeanor made us feel like our project was the most important one on their plate.”

PEC brings modern style to Central College recognition wall

Tuesday, 07 November 2017 13:40

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Pella Engraving manufactured 58 plaques for the updated Central College Hall of Honor—55 recreations of the original plaques and 3 all-new plaques.

Four years ago, Central College embarked on the Forever Dutch initiative—an ongoing multi-million dollar renovation project that is transforming the A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex into a modern and welcoming home for student-athletes, coaches, and Central fans. The latest upgrade to the complex is the expansion and renovation of the southern and western wings of P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium.

The expansion was completed last spring, but it was officially unveiled to fans, donors, and alumni at the Athletics Hall of Honor induction ceremony on September 23 during Central’s 2017 homecoming celebrations. Open for exploring on the gym’s second floor were areas like the newly updated wrestling room. Downstairs, in the Pacha Family Lobby, guests were greeted by something special courtesy of Pella Engraving Company—a brand-new Hall of Honor recognition wall.

The Hall of Honor was instituted in 2002. It recognizes standout student-athletes, coaches, and administrators who have become exceptional leaders outside the Central College athletics family. “Inductees to the Hall of Honor represent the best of what Central is all about,” said Athletics Director Eric Van Kley.

Fifteen years ago, the original Hall of Honor included 55 magnesium plaques with wood backings; Pella Engraving had been manufacturing a new plaque each time an inductee was chosen. As the work on Kuyper Gymnasium progressed, the Forever Dutch team decided to replace the original plaques with new ones that fit the sleek, modern feel of the renovated building. “We went back to Pella Engraving because we knew they could provide plaques with the style and excellence that characterize the new building,” said Eric.

The new plaques feature a photo of the honoree, their graduation date, and biographical information printed on silver aluminum plates.

In total, Pella Engraving manufactured 58 plaques for the updated Hall of Honor—55 recreations of the original plaques and 3 all-new plaques. Plaques will be added each year as new individuals are inducted into the Hall of Honor. The PEC team took the lead in creating the new plaque style. Each plaque includes a photo of the honoree, their graduation date, and a short description of their accomplishments, all surrounded by a field of Central red. The photo, text, and color background were printed on silver aluminum plates with Pella Engraving’s UV flatbed printer. The aluminum plates were then adhered to a black acrylic backer. Finally, clear acrylic shields that provide both style and protection from nicks and scratches were secured to the front of each plaque with aluminum standoff caps.

The display is headlined with plasma-cut aluminum lettering. Two sets of letters—one silver and one black—were created using PEC’s state-of-the-art plasma cutter. The black letters were installed first, followed by the silver letters, which were placed at a slight offset to create a drop-shadow effect.

The new recognition wall received a very positive reception at the Athletics Hall of Honor ceremony. “I’ve heard a lot of people say that the new Hall of Honor looks very classy,” said Eric. “It adds excitement to the lobby, and the quality of the display is something we are really proud of. The Pella Engraving team is tremendous.”

PEC’s range of signage capabilities shines at new Pella Sports Park

Friday, 08 September 2017 09:57

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The size of the Pella Sports Park pushed the boundaries for a town with a population just over 10,000, but supporters stepped up to make it possible. In August, a donor recognition wall designed by Pella Engraving Company was installed on the west wall of the complex’s concession stand and meeting room to honor organizations and individuals for their contributions.

Between the first ideas sketched on a piece of scratch paper and the first game played in April 2016 were a dozen years of hard work to earn support for the sports complex. “The wall is positioned at the pinnacle of the complex to honor the donors who made this possible in a humble and appropriate way,” said Craig Wassenar, a board member for Fields for Our Future, Inc., the non-profit that envisioned the new sports complex and worked with the City of Pella to bring it to life.

The look of the wall itself matches the feel of the complex. “We wanted something simple and high quality. We are blown away by the final product,” said Craig. “Everyone loves it.”

While the Fields for Our Future group initially thought they would need to install the plaques on an interior wall, the PEC team was able to present several material options that would be durable enough for an exterior installation that more people will be able to see.

PEC Co-Owners Jarid Purvis and Cory Vande Kieft (pictured) led the donor wall project and installed it at the Pella Sports Park.

The donor wall’s design features plasma-cut arched aluminum lettering with a drop shadow. Two sets of letters, one black and another silver, were needed to make this effect possible. Backdrop silver-edged aluminum plates with rounded corners sit behind four large, black zinc plaques. The final layer consists of weather-resistant Metalphoto^®plates etched with donor names. Major contributors are showcased with color logo plaques printed on aluminum with PEC’s flatbed UV color printer, then sealed for excellent outdoor durability.

“The wall’s design allows us to continue to add donors as the park grows,” said Craig. “The PEC team was very proactive—they led us through the process and were easy to work with as we needed to add some last-minute donors. The final product matches our vision for the park as a whole and will stand the test of time.”

PEC Co-Owners Jarid Purvis and Cory Vande Kieft led the project and completed the installation. “We are so thankful to be located in a community like Pella that is growing and has people willing to make projects like the Pella Sports Park happen,” said Jarid. “Pella Engraving Company is proud to have our work be a small part of this family-centered complex.”

“Due to the many processes and materials the project required, most of the PEC team was able to contribute, which made this project even more rewarding,” added Cory.

You can read more about Pella Engraving’s donor wall options on their website.

Plaques with portrait artwork grace stadium for 100th Drake Relays anniversary

Thursday, 08 January 2015 12:48

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“The 100th anniversary of the Drake Relays was a milestone, and we wanted to honor the Relay’s history, legacy, and destiny,” said Drake Relays Director Brian Brown. “The idea to honor the Athletes of the Century who competed at the Relays was a big part of our anniversary celebration.”

Plaques were the perfect way to preserve the contributions these athletes made to the legacy of the Drake Relays. When a vendor referred Brian to Pella Engraving, he knew he had found the right company for the job. “We saw a sample plaque with an artist’s rendering of a picture—it was so much more unique than a photo on a plaque. It sealed the deal,” said Brian.

Pella Engraving Co-Owners Bruce Van Wyk and Jeff Vroom traveled to Drake University’s stadium in Des Moines, Iowa, to photograph the brick pillars and walls onto which the plaques would be installed.

The entire project included 18 zinc plaques—each with a portrait—as well as miniature versions of those plaques that were given to each honored athlete. About twenty other signs by PEC were also installed in and around Drake Stadium.

“PEC wanted this project to be as successful as we did,” said Brian. “Because of this, we listened to them when they had suggestions. And they always listened to us—no matter how many times we called with changes, we never felt like we were a bother.”

The plaques were unveiled, with many of the athletes onhand, at a ceremony after the 100th Anniversary Gala. “The artwork on each plaque is consistent yet representative of each athlete’s individuality,” said Brian. “The plaques make the entrance around the stadium light up.”

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DMACC donor wall

Wednesday, 06 February 2013 11:16

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In the summer of 2011, PEC helped the DMACC campus in Perry, Iowa, honor the donors for the new VanKirk Career Academy building. The donor wall project required a combination of CNC plasma routing and zinc etching to complete total job. In addition to the main donor wall, PEC created zinc signs to place in individual rooms to recognize the donors of those rooms. The project was installed by PEC—an option available to clients anywhere in the Midwest.

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