ST. CLAIRSVILLE – After 18 years of business, the Hays Landscape Architecture Studio recently joined Wallace & Pancher Inc. to form WallacePancher Group. The company operates offices in St. Clairsville, Canonsburg, Pa., Hermitage, Pa. and Waynesburg, Pa.

During its time in St. Clairsville, the Hays business built a solid reputation for creating places of meaning for clients through practical, conscientious design approach that has become known throughout the Ohio Valley. Some of the notable projects include work at Oglebay Park, Wheeling’s Market Plaza, Wheeling Heritage Port, St. Clairsville Central Park, Grand Vue Park, as well as several schools, commercial developments and public and private gardens.

“We have gone from relying on a staff of five to a staff of 50 to complete successful projects,” Gabe Hays said. He now serves as the director of Landscape Architecture and Planning at WallacePancher Group.

The Hays business also brings its ReCreate Park Planning Group, featuring retired Oglebay vice president of operations William Koegler and retired Navy commander and Park Director Brad Chambers.

“Our ReCreate PPG has the experience and unique ability to find funding for public park projects and park management training that will bring tremendous benefits to municipalities,” Koegler, head of ReCreate PPG, said.

“My work career is at its halfway point and I look forward to the next 20 years with more excitement and optimism than I have at any point thus far. Dan Wallace and Brian Pancher and their staff are wonderful all around people. We are the perfect fit,” Hays added.