Chicopee construction company gets ‘Extreme’ call

Date: 8/30/2011

Aug. 29, 2011

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor

SPRINGFIELD — Nick Riley, the president of N. Riley Construction in Chicopee, admitted he was “honored but a little taken back” when he received the telephone call from the producer of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” to ask if his company would be the general contractor for a home makeover that will begin on Sept. 11.

Unlike the 2009 makeover for a house in Suffield, Conn., which had been described as a home in Western Massachusetts, sources have assured Reminder Publications this edition of the program will actually help a family in Springfield.

There was a pep rally to help recruit volunteers at Springfield College’s Blake Physical Education Complex on Aug. 30.

Riley said his company did not seek out the job as general contractor, which he explained surpasses what a general contractor usually does.

“It’s much, much more than that,” he said.

He noted that besides recruiting the sub-contractors, his company will also be in charge of organizing the donations, volunteers and food service, among other duties.

Riley said his staff is “excited and supportive” about the challenge.

“We look for builders with big hearts, great skills and a strong connection within their own community,” Milan Vasic, the senior producer of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” said. “Nick and his crew at N. Riley Construction was the perfect fit.”

To complete the makeover that will be from Sept. 11 to 18, Riley said that between 3,000 and 4,000 volunteers would be needed.

Riley said his company is 5 years-old and specializes in home renovation, although it builds several new homes each year.

Already the following businesses and organizations have made commitments: the city of Springfield, Abide, Ingram and Associates, Southampton Environmental, Durkee, White Towne, and Chapdelaine, Ondrick, Kohler, Kitchen Encounters, Kraftmaid Cabinets, Silestone, Emtek, Dki, John Pelland Electric, Fontaine Bros., Galen And Sons, Superior Walls, Mvg Home Improvement, Crystal Brook Decorative Concrete, Sherwin Williams, Masterpiece Finishes, Shubee, Contemporary Structures, USG, ABC Supply, Daltile, Baystate Rug And Flooring, Bouchard, Pro-Tech, Select Blinds, Lumber Liquidators, Garvey Communication Associates Inc., James Langone Photography, and Viz-Bang.

To donate toward the Build and Family Fund, to volunteer or for more information about “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’s” visit to Springfield, go to www.joinextreme.com/mass.

Local information, including the most up to date sponsor lists, behind the scenes photos, and news flashes will be posted at Facebook.com/emheSpringfield.