SINSINAWA — The Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa have accepted Tricon Construction Group’s proposal to take the next steps toward ownership of several buildings at Sinsinawa Mound. Tricon proposes to renovate the space for an active senior living community and event center and to explore partnerships with local community organizations responding to human needs in the area.
“We are grateful that Tricon and other neighbors in this tristate area value these iconic buildings and are committed to repurposing them so that others will be able to enjoy the special place that is Sinsinawa Mound. While there are details that need to be worked out before finalizing a transfer of ownership, we appreciate Tricon’s plan for stewardship of some of our buildings into the future,” said Sister Toni Harris, OP, Prioress of the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation.
Tricon owner Ron Richard said, “We are very excited to be part of the Sinsinawa Mound’s future. I was born and raised in Kieler and Sinsinawa Mound was always a place that I admired. The buildings are in great structural shape, and it would be a shame to see them deconstructed or just not used. Because of the current housing need in the tri-state area, along with the growing popularity of amenity filled retirement communities, we feel that our proposed plan will be a great benefit to the surrounding area.”
The buildings included in the transfer of ownership to Tricon are the rotunda building which houses Queen of the Rosary Chapel; the 1964 building which includes the main foyer, dining room, kitchen, meeting spaces, wellness center, sleeping quarters, and guest rooms; and the convent building. The Sisters will retain ownership of the stone building and St. Clara Chapel.
These spaces will be renovated to serve as congregation office space, public meeting and prayer space, community living space for Sisters, and exhibit areas. The Sisters will continue to own the Academy Apartments, two houses on the property, and the surrounding land. Sinsinawa Mound will continue to serve as the Motherhouse of the Congregation.
The Sisters also remain committed to supporting regenerative agriculture into the future and will continue to explore ways to collaborate with farmers and groups committed to Earth sustainability.
“Pope Francis calls all of us to care for Earth, our common home. We are eager to collaborate with other like-minded groups who wish to nurture the precious land entrusted to us,” said Sister Toni.
The Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa are part of a worldwide Dominican family, the Order of Preachers. For more than 800 years, Dominicans have continued to preach the Gospel in word and deed. Today, thousands of sisters, nuns, priests, brothers, associates, and laity minister in more than 100 countries around the world. Learn more at www.sinsinawa.org
Tricon Construction Group is headquartered in Dubuque, Iowa. They are a locally owned full service general contracting firm in their 25th year of operation. Tricon performs work throughout Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin, and they have a skilled workforce of 78 employees that specializes in precast concrete erection, carpentry, specialized concrete structures, and steel erection. To learn more, visit triconcg.com