Vaunted Kurtz Gym gets pounded for earthquakes, adds years to life
Aaron Weatherall takes a look at the old skylight in Kurtz Gym, between the two fans at top of the ceiling, as they strengthen the building. The primary lateral force from an earthquake or high-wind event causes simultaneous uplift, compression, and sliding forces. in a worst-case scenario, those forces can topple a building. To counter those forces, Griffin Construction is adding additional strength to the building with 70-foot cross braces in an old skylight section of the gym as well as using epoxy and carbon fiber to improve the strength of the existing walls in the ceiling portion of the building.
By Tom Peterson
Upgrades to Kurtz Gym at The Dalles High School fell into full swing last week as contractors pounded 30-foot pilings to secure the building against earthquakes.
The $2.276-million upgrade is being funded entirely through the State’s Business Oregon Agency and is intended to bring the building up to seismic standards. The District is chipping in $250,000 to cover the cost of window upgrades and the heater improvements through the use of Google Enterprize-Zone Dollars.
The School District received the Business Oregon grant through a statewide competitive process.
The work ensures the building, a community icon, will continue to host events for decades to come.
“This is just like Quinton Street Ballpark,” said Northern Wasco County School Board Member Jose Aparicio who was on-site Friday, July 9th. “We will be able to use this building for many years to come. It’s a big part of our community.”
The distinct gym, mostly made of poured concrete, is a fine example of Art Deco architecture and features raised bleachers and an incredible view for sporting events. Great for running stairs too, right coaches? It has been in service since 1940.
Once upgrades are complete, the building will also be used as an emergency shelter for locals in the event of natural disasters, said Kara Flath, chief financial officer for the district.
Griffin Construction won the contract to retrofit the building and they are also using many local contractors to complete the work. Griffin operates out of a townhouse that sits next to the Bargeway Pub off River Way.
Brown Roofing, Hage Electric, Beam Excavation, Devco Mechanical, Bulldog Welding and Tum-A-Lum Lumber are all subcontractors on the project.
Thus far, crews have installed four pilings at the front of the building two outside and two inside the front entrance.
Those pilings are being tied to the foundation to give it greater support.
In addition, Griffin’s Project Manager Matt Hammel said they are installing 70 feet of cross braces in the ceiling of the gym where there was once a skylight, transferring lateral forces from exterior walls, and greatly improving the overall strength of the building.
Roger Whitecotton gets a load of fines and gravel from fellow employee last Friday. The material was wheelbarrowed to four pilings at the front of Kurtz Gym which is getting a seismic upgrade.
In addition, windows in the ceiling are being replaced with sheer walls in the east and west sections and new translucent glass is being installed in the center portion.
The current windows are blacked out and ragged looking.
Griffin is also using a product called Structural FRP, which is carbon fiber. They attach it to the walls using epoxy. This will increase the strength of the upper roof structure as well as the cross length of the building, running east to west.
The exterior of the roof will also be strengthened and a new PVC 30-year roof will be installed by Brown Roofing.
Insulation is being added to the building, and heaters, if possible, will be repaired to provide much-needed warmth.
Essentially, it will be much easier to maintain a pleasant temperature within the gym in winter and summer when the work is complete.
The gym won’t be “106 inside when it’s 105 outside” when they are done, Hammel said with a laugh.
Contractors will also replace the large gray acoustic boxes in the gym with acoustic panels that will attach to the walls.
“When we’re done, this building will be in really good shape,” said Hammel, noting they intend to have the gym not complete but usable by the start of the school year.
In addition to the Kurtz Gym upgrade, contractors are also leveling the bullpen - the concrete courtyard between the gym and the main building so that students will have a place to sit and eat.
Flath said a gazebo will be placed there so that students, who currently lack a true cafeteria, will have a place to sit and eat and still be able to social distance if necessary.
The work is also addressing a huge safety issue. A natural gas pipe currently sits just four inches underneath the ground at the location. It will be to be removed and properly placed several feet so that it can’t be ruptured by a crushing force such as a heavy vehicle.
The total cost for the initial excavation of the bullpen is $40,000, and more expenses are yet to come. It is being paid for with Federal dollars earmarked for summer school programs’ capital improvement funding.
Northern Wasco County School Board Member Jose Aparicio, District Chief Financial Officer Kara Flath, Griffin Construction Project Manager Matt Hammel and Aaron Weatherall took a tour of the work at Kurtz Gym on Friday, July 9th. The old building is getting some much needed strength.
