Work Day at Badlands Observatory

Kevin Coleman working at Badlands Observatory

Hank Fridell working at Badlands Observatory

Badlands Observatory 9/28/21

We are very fortunate to have people to help with Badlands Observatory. Over the past year we have embarked on a major renovation project to get things ready for the public and upgrade various systems.

From the start, our dear friend and neighbor Kevin Coleman has been heavily involved in the project. He has singlehandedly made repairs to the inside of the structure including replacing drywall and building closets. In addition, he enclosed the Observing deck with heavy steel fencing and built the new porch on the front. He is in the process of enclosing the old porch to make a nice entryway.

Within the past few months we were fortunate to contract with M & S Contracting (John & Shelly McGriff) to repair the exterior of the building. This is a huge undertaking, especially on a building as old as the former Quinn Community Hospital. The improvements they are making speak for themselves!

Recently, a friend from the Black Hills Astronomical Society volunteered to help and was immediately put to work installing gutters. Thank you so much Hank Fridell!

We still have a lot of work to do.. next up is painting the interior and installing new flooring. But we have come a long way thanks to these super talented people!