Prep Nearly Complete

Weather has been pretty typical for a Washington winter, but for the most part working conditions have been good and Rhine continues to make good progress on prepping the site so that we can start building rather than removing and salvaging.

2/17/12 - Rhine worker cleans up after a productive week.

Early the week of February 20, work continued to mark the existing concrete foundation before cutting and removing parts of it to prepare for installation of new plumbing and footings to support the renovated 2-story Program Center.

2/20/12 - Site Super Stan marks the foundation for saw cutting

We got a break on Wednesday with sunny, though breezy weather.

2/22/12 - Rhine removes sections of concrete foundation to prepare for plumbing and footings

Topless!

Removal of the clubhouse roof beams was completed by early the afternoon of Valentine's day, February 14!  The roof is now completely off of the building and all the beams have been stacked in preparation for salvage and reuse in the new Program Center.

Clubhouse "interior" with only ridge beam remaining

Ridge beam being lowered to the ground

Salvaged rafters stacked for storage and reuse in renovated Program Center

Roof Decking Salvage

Jess of Rhine Corp. liberates roof decking on 2/10/12

Rhine continued to make good progress the rest of the week, salvaging the fireplace hood, removing the remaining debris from the interior of the Clubhouse and cutting the roof decking for salvage.  On Saturday February 11, a work party of 12 Tacoma Mountaineers met at the Clubhouse to pull nails and staples from the roof decking to prepare it for storage and reuse in the Program Center.  The decking will be used for making doors, wainscoting and other wood panel features on the interior. 

Salvaged decking ready for storage

Marian Shepherd, Tom Bates & Rick Yasger pull nails and staples while Gretchen Roosevelt cleans up

The salvage team congregates for a photo op after a successful day!

Example of stamp on decking

Many of the lengths of roof decking were stamped with the name of St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co., which, upon its founding in 1888, set out to build the 'world's largest sawmill' on the Tacoma tideflats!  The decking was installed in 20 ft. lengths and was of such quality that now only exists in memory and salvage.

"Groundbreaking" Ceremony

On Wednesday, February 8 a "groundbreaking" ceremony was held at the Clubhouse to mark the start of the renovation process (it was discussed that groundbreaking is somewhat of a misnomer as the clubhouse is being rebuilt to a Program Center using many reclaimed elements of the Clubhouse).  Our flirtation with early spring weather abruptly came to an end early the morning of February 8, and we were returned to the typical Tacoma winter conditions of overcast and drizzle.  However the weather did not dampen the spirits of those participating in the event and we had a turnout approaching 50 including local dignitaries, Martinique Grigg and other staff members from Seattle, nearly the entire Tacoma Board, the complete architecture, engineering and construction team, and other interested community members and Mountaineers. 

Local dignitaries, construction team and Tacoma Mountaineers Board at Program Center "groundbreaking"

Geoff Lawrence, Martinique Grigg and Darin Brekke commemorate the start of the Tacoma Program Center project

We're all happy to be underway and once again are thankful for the generous bequest by Brunhilde (Bruni) Wislicenus through The Mountaineers Foundation, which provided the opportunity to realize this renovation.

Building Prep

Clubhouse Interior 2/3/12

Rhine removes debris from Clubhouse 2/3/12

The Tacoma Program Center renovation project is well and truly underway!  The Monday after permits were issued by the City of Tacoma, Merit Construction (the project General Contractor) mobilized it's subcontractor Rhine to commence building prep and abatement work.  That week was blessed with good weather, and Rhine sprung into action, getting a great start on the project.  The good weather continued through the weekend (with sunny, almost springlike weather with high temperatures nearly to 60 deg. F!) into the week of February 6, and Rhine continued to make strong progress.

2/7/12 - Rhine workers strip roofing to prepare for reclamation of decking to be used in new Program Center