02/23/01 Update


The project continues to move along despite the inclement weather. We caught somewhat of a break in the last two weeks where the weather was concerned and were able to make some very good progress with the concrete retaining walls, slabs, and column form pours. You begin to get a sense of the size of the Community Center now that the walls are beginning to be erected around the perimeter.


Fig. #3 shows the columns, that make up the south wall of the Community Center, being both formed and poured. These concrete columns will provide structural support for the giant glue lam beams that will support the roof of the building. Fig. #4 shows a footer being poured that will eventually have the same type of columns as fig. #4. These will support the beams that will span the west side of the building.


Fig. #5
shows the columns that were poured on the footer shown in Fig. #4. In this
picture, you see how the concrete columns are wrapped with blankets to hold heat
in while the concrete cures out. The temperature under the blankets cannot drop
below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The swimming pool will set between this column and
the retaining walls on the left side of the picture.
Fig. #6
shows the glu-lam beams that will ultimately be erected on the columns. J &
B erectors, a Colorado based company, is the sub-contractor scheduled to do all
of the structural steel and beams. They assembled the glu-lam beams shown above
and then recovered them to protect them from the weather until they can be set
in place. You should see most of the roof structure in place by mid April.
Coming out
of the ground is one of the most difficult parts of a construction project.
There is a ton of infrastructure such as plumbing, electrical, footers, concrete
columns, slabs, mechanical equipment, etc. that has to placed. It will appear
that not much is going on when the truth is that a great deal of work is being
completed. Our only enemy at this time is the weather. However, after back to
back dry winters and a pretty dry summer last year, its hard to be upset about
all of the moisture we are receiving this winter. I think we are all grateful
for the storms because it is so badly needed.