By NICOLE LOGGINS / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – Shelby Iron Works Park volunteer and historian Jerry Willis and numerous others have been at the park working on the newest structure, a multi-purpose building.

The county and Shelby Iron Works collaborated on the building project, County Manager Alex Dudchock said in an email.

The county agreed to grant funds equaling $47,810 to assist with construction materials.

“We furnished all the labor, the county has paid us back for all of the materials that we’ve used,” Willis said. “We’ve been using temporary buildings so we’re very glad to have this new one.”

The new building has a large dining area, kitchen, storage area and new restrooms. Willis pointed out that one of the more important features of the new building is a fully-functioning kitchen with an industrial vent hood and cook top.

“It meets all codes, of course,” Willis said. “We also have new handicap-accessible bathrooms.”

Willis handcrafted the wooden entry doors to the building with lumber from 1855. He said the county was a fundamental part of the construction of the building.

“We sketched it and then expanded it and the county drew up the formal plan based off of our sketch,” he said. “We’re all individuals. We’ve done everything as volunteers and need any help we can get.”