This is one of the best things we’ve ever done.”

Jeff Carlson

The sun glinted off the freshly installed siding and brand new roof as members of the Hastings Area Rotary Club gathered this week in their new storage building. The facility, located near the Tilden Senior Center and affectionately known as the “CWA Shed,” served as both the backdrop and the focus of Jeff Carlson’s presentation to the assembled Rotarians.

“It sounded great during the Pledge,” Carlson remarked, noting how the acoustics helped contain the usual bustle of morning conversation. The hum of a garbage truck passing by added a real-world touch, but Carlson assured the group that the building would remain functional and quiet once in regular use.

Built as part of the Rotary’s Cycling Without Age (CWA) program, the structure now offers secure and weather-protected storage for the group’s growing fleet of trishaws. The bikes are used to give rides to seniors and community members with mobility limitations, and the shed offers a central, accessible hub for maintenance and organization.

At the heart of the project were students from Hastings High School’s Pathways industrial arts courses. Under the guidance of contractor Greg Stotko of Stotko Speedling Builders, the students designed, built, and finished much of the building themselves. Carlson described the experience as one of the most impactful projects the Rotary has ever helped lead, not only for what was built but for how it brought people together.

The project began as a conversation between Carlson and school staff during a scholarship presentation. Principal Scott Doran mentioned a small shed the industrial arts students had recently built, which sparked the idea: could students build something more ambitious? That question led to meetings, sketches, and the first steps of what became a full-blown collaborative effort between the school, local contractors, and the Hastings Area Rotary Club.

There were plenty of hurdles along the way. Carlson referred to them as speed bumps rather than obstacles, but they were significant. Logistical concerns, time constraints, and questions about how to get students on-site all had to be sorted out. Teachers like Eric Dietz were interested but unsure how it would work. Eventually, a solution came through the school’s expanding Bridges program, which allowed for flexible scheduling and community-based learning.

Carlson praised the efforts of Dietz, the students, and especially Stotko, who he described as both a contractor and a “wannabe architect” with a knack for creative design. The building grew in size and scope throughout the process. The final design includes a wall structured to allow for future expansion, so the shed can grow another 20 feet if needed.

For Stotko, the project was more than a job. With his own health challenges in mind, Carlson said it gave him purpose, connection, and energy. Though Stotko couldn’t be there for the presentation, Carlson video called him near the end of the meeting so the group could offer a collective thank you and virtual high five.

The building itself represents a major financial undertaking, with final costs topping $55,000. Yet, thanks to generous in-kind and cash donations, the project has left the Rotary’s account balanced at zero. Carlson outlined every contribution, from excavation and masonry to painting, insulation, and cabinetry.

Precision Landscaping and Construction donated all labor and materials for site prep and finish work, valued at over $7,000. Frandrup Masonry discounted their work by $2,500. Shaw Stewart Lumber provided $5,000 worth of materials, and Fox Gutters installed the drainage system with a $200 donation. Ace Hardware chipped in with half the paint, while Daily Electric provided labor and electrical services, valued at another $5,000.

Doug Speedling played a key role as well, bringing students to his facility, guiding them through building techniques, and even supplying extra labor and equipment when needed. He also contributed around $5,000 in time, tools, and materials.

Cash donors included $10,000 from the Doffing Fund and $12,000 from the Community Investment Fund. Greg and Janet Stotko contributed $2,500 of their own money, which was matched by UnitedHealth, bringing their total to $5,000. Additional gifts came from John Ball, Lon and Joanne Peterson, and Premier Bank. Community Covenant Church also stepped in with support through the Power of 100 initiative.

All told, in-kind contributions totaled $25,346.44. Carlson said the numbers came together just in time. As of the meeting, the project required no additional money from the Rotary account.

“We are at zero,” Carlson said, smiling.

Still, there is more work to be done. Carlson noted that the shed needs signage, a recognition wall for donors, and a few finishing touches. Additional storage shelves, a table, chairs, and blankets may be added over time. A grand opening barbecue is planned, though no date is set. The idea is to wait until electricity is fully hooked up and promote the event in a way that includes students, donors, and the larger community.

Lon Peterson provided updates on the Cycling Without Age program, which continues to operate with six trishaws and a team of trained volunteer pilots. While there has been a slight slowdown in new rider signups this year, interest remains strong, especially after a successful Fourth of July parade appearance.

Premier Bank hosted a training event that received positive feedback across all 20 of its locations. The exposure has inspired interest in creating or supporting similar programs elsewhere in the metro area.

Janet and Jackie, key Rotary volunteers, have streamlined scheduling and logistics through the Check Room app, which tracks bike checkouts, ride schedules, and maintenance needs. The app costs around $1,340 annually, but the value it brings to the program is clear.

Inside the new shed, shelving is already set up to hold the bikes’ removable power packs and chargers. Bettis and others are preparing nameplates for each trishaw and want to include each bike’s origin story and donor information beneath it.

Plans for the winter include moving all six bikes into the shed full time for storage and maintenance. With the space secure and insulated, it will serve as the central hub for off-season upkeep and volunteer coordination.

Peterson also gave a heartfelt reminder of how the program began. He and Dan, one of the program’s founding members, biked the first two trishaws into Hastings during the early days of the pandemic. A seventh bike, donated in Dan’s memory, is on its way from the Netherlands.

The Rotary’s impact in Hastings doesn’t stop at trishaws. Carlson noted that the group has a long history of building community resources, including their fishing program, the bridge over the Vermillion River, and the Rotary Pavilion in Levee Park. The new shed continues that tradition, not just as a structure, but as a symbol of what partnership can build.

Rotarian Don Bettis said the upcoming Rotary Music Festival will give CWA a dedicated tent to showcase the bikes, offer rides, and tell the program’s story. Another tent will represent the fishing initiative. Bettis stressed that events like the festival are key opportunities to show Hastings what Rotary is all about.

Carlson closed by urging members to stay involved, speak proudly about Rotary’s work, and help promote its programs in the community. While CWA has become self-sustaining in many ways, its success depends on volunteers, pilots, and consistent advocacy.

“This is one of the best things we’ve ever done,” Carlson said.

To learn more about the Hastings Area Rotary Club or to become a member, visit www.hastingsmnrotary.com