Sean C. Morgan
The Sweet Home School Board celebrated the completion of the Sweet Home High School auditorium seismic upgrade project on Nov. 13.
The $1.4 million project connected the roof to the walls, and tightened the building’s trusses to better withstand potential earthquakes.
The project also included new LED house lighting and acoustic panels. It replaced glass block windows in the choir room and included improvements throughout the building. The auditorium was ready to go for the high school production of “Little Shop of Horrors” presented Nov. 16-18.
A handful of acoustic panels were not cut to the correct sizes and could not be installed on time. They were completed a few days later, and as the Singing Christmas Tree prepares its program, everything is in place and complete.
The building meets earthquake “life safety standards” now, said Business Manager Kevin Strong. That means that in a sizable earthquake, everyone should be able to exit the building.
As a side benefit, “this building is much better prepared to withstand a significant snow event.”
Most of the work isn’t visible, including improvements to the roof structure and the support walls, Strong told School Board members who visited the building Nov. 13 during rehearsal for the high school musical production.
“However, we hope you like the work that is visible, including new windows in the choir room, new paint in the auditorium, new energy-efficient LED ceiling and wall lights in the auditorium and new acoustic panels that are being installed.”
The project was funded by a competitive grant from the Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority and $30,000 in long-term maintenance funds and funds raised by the Sweet Home Auditorium Remodel Committee, now a part of the Sweet Home Oregon Coalition for Artistic and Scholastic Enrichment.
“We’re hopeful that the improvements made this year extend the life of the auditorium, which is approaching 70 years old, for years to come,” Strong said. “In addition, we’re hoping that these improvements serve as a catalyst for future facility improvements. Ideas mentioned include new stage lighting, an upgraded sound system and renovations to the lobby area.”
“We are dedicated to supporting the performing arts as well as providing a place to host community events and other school programs,” said Supt. Tom Yahraes.
The district is in the planning process for three additional seismic improvement projects at Foster, Hawthorne and Holley elementary schools.
Engineering work is under way, and the district plans to complete seismic work at Hawthorne in summer 2018 and Foster and Holley in summer 2019.