WANTED: 'One Day House' celebrants

Thirty years ago on July 7, the North Idaho Building Contractor’s Association (NIBCA) built a house in a day. In fact, they built the house in 6 hours 55 minutes and 23 seconds! On Sept. 19 they plan to have a 30-year anniversary celebration and want to invite all people who worked on the house to attend.

This remarkable project was done to try to project some positive news during a building industry depressed by high interest rates. The house was presold using Idaho Housing funds, and proved that people could still afford to buy a home. Nearly 300 builders and subcontractor volunteers worked together to accomplish this goal, that many said was impossible. They believed in the plans developed by NIBCA leaders Al Bowen, Jim Crowe, Mike Hughes and Fred Paige to build a quality home, and wanted to give people hope that buying the American Dream — their own home — was still possible.

This home, built in Post Falls, was filmed by the TV program “That’s Incredible” and was later shown on national TV. At noon on the day of the build, radio announcer Paul Harvey exclaimed to his audience that a group of builders in North Idaho were setting a record with construction of this house in a day.

Because the building industry has been very challenged the last few years due to the economy, NIBCA thought it would be good to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the “One Day House” to remember and once again ignite that positive, can do attitude.

Crew members and others interested in attending the celebration are encouraged to call Kris at the NIBCA office (765-5518) and make a reservation. Come see the video filmed by “That’s Incredible” and greet many who made this feat happen. Join us at The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course Event Center on the Sept. 19, starting at 5 p.m. Dinner tickets are $20 per person. There are still a few sponsored tables available for $320 to help cover costs.

I’ve participated in many exciting projects in my life, including helping to blaze the Centennial Trail when I was a Kootenai County Commissioner, but the “One Day House” is right at the top because it is such a great example of what can be done when people believe in each other and work together to accomplish a challenging goal. Please come and catch the excitement!

EVALYN ADAMS

Coeur d’Alene