FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
From The Boldt Company:
Patrick Casey
Phone: (920) 225-6159
Email: Patrick.Casey@Boldt.com
OR
Mary Schmidt
Phone (M): (920) 284-7165
Email: mkschmidt@centurytel.net
From Little Chute Windmill, Inc.:
Robin Dekker (Little Chute Windmill, Inc.)
Phone: (920) 788-2629
Email: littlechutewindmill@gmail.com
Crane scheduled to lift unique windmill pieces on June 7
Work is progressing at the construction site of the Little Chute Windmill
and Van Asten Visitor Center, where The Boldt Company has been working
closely with Dutch company Verbij Hoogmade BV on the unique structure.
The windmill, which will educate patrons about Dutch culture and history,
will be a fully functioning flour mill and just one of a few like it in the
United States. The materials for the top portion of the windmill, including
its blades, were shipped to the site from the Netherlands by Verbij and are
scheduled to be lifted into place on June 7 with the assistance of a
300-ton crane.
Gerard Kleijn [PRONOUNCED “KLYNE”], a Verbij [PRONOUNCED “vurr-BYE”]
employee who traveled from the Netherlands to assist Boldt in assembling
the windmill, said his company got involved because no company in the U.S.
has the 1850s-era knowledge needed to create and install the
highly-specialized parts for this rare, ornate type of windmill. “There are
only maybe four or five companies in the Netherlands that can make these
pieces and none in the states,” said Kleijn.
Kleijn said he has enjoyed his time in the area while assisting with the
project. “Little Chute is a nice, quiet town,” he said. “If I work in a
huge city, not a lot of people are interested in the project, but here
people are interested in the [windmill]—there are more friendly people in
small towns.”
Boldt has completed close to 1,000 wind turbines capable of producing more
than 1,500 MW of power, but Boldt Vice President Paul Coenen said the
Little Chute Windmill project has been unique for everyone involved because
of its different purpose—this windmill will grind grain and produce flour,
not electricity. “This is a once in a lifetime experience to be able to
construct an authentic Dutch windmill combining 1800s design with modern
construction techniques,” said Coenen.
The windmill will start operating in July 2012 with the help of volunteer
millers and the entire project is scheduled for completion in December
2012. Fundraising to complete the project is ongoing by Little Chute
Windmill, Inc., the nonprofit organization behind the project—to donate,
visit www.littlechutewindmill.org or call (920) 788-2629.
To see the current progress on the Little Chute Windmill and Visitor’s
Center, view the live construction webcam at
http://webcam.boldt.com/lcwind/vid.html.
Media Note:
High-resolution versions of the photos in the release are available upon
request. Photos of the lift will be available upon request after the date
of the lift (June 7). Additionally, talent release forms have been signed
for the individuals in the photo in the release of three people watching
the construction.
