For eight years, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition has rebuilt houses and transformed people’s lives from coast to coast. Now, the popular ABC show is coming to Nashville to do the same thing — but with a twist. But the twist, the start date for the project and really any details at all about the build have not yet been revealed. What is known is that the project is flood-related and will require thousands of man-hours to complete. Therefore, the show’s organizers are in desperate need of donations and volunteers.
A pep rally to kick off Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’s Nashville build is set for 10 a.m. Friday at Belmont University’s Curb Event Center to round up volunteers, generate excitement and share more information.
“The way to think about it is, the theme of Extreme Makeover this season is ‘Extreme like you’ve never seen before,’ ” said Rick S. Olszewski of LP Building Products, whose company is one of three Nashville businesses taking the lead on the local build. “The projects have taken on a much bigger scope. It’s going to take hundreds of volunteers and skilled craftsman and tradespeople to make this happen.”
Stan Hardaway, whose company, Hardaway Construction Corp., is another leader on the project, along with DA|AD Group, said that right now the team is most in need of skilled craftsmen and carpenters. As the build progresses, the team’s volunteer needs will be updated on its website, thenashvillebuild.com.
Hardaway emphasized that the project will be difficult to pull off, given its large scope and short timeframe, but added that construction people love a good challenge. The construction companies plan to work around the clock for six days to ensure completion. Ordinarily, he said, a project of this scale would take six or seven months.
“There isn’t a bigger challenge than building a project like this, because one hour in this six-day period is equal to one day in a regular construction schedule,” he said. “So, 24 hours is equivalent to 24 days. When you start thinking about how challenging that is — to bring something like that together and get it done that quick — part of it scares you, but the other part of it excites you.”
The project organizers hope the community pulls together to support the local Extreme Makeover effort, just as it did in the aftermath of the May floods. They say the program is a national platform to showcase Middle Tennessee residents’ volunteer spirit and resolve to take care of their neighbors.
“Think back to May, and how we felt like, ‘We didn’t get any national attention — so what?’ ” Olszewski said. “We took care of ourselves. And this is another opportunity for the Nashville community to show how Nashville responds when someone in Nashville needs help. (People) know the premise of the show, and they know something really, really good is going to come out of it.”
The episode will air on ABC before the end of the year.
Reach Cindy Watts at 615-664-2227 or ciwatts@tennessean.com.
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