Process Delay

It's early December and we are awaiting issuance of permits from the City of Tacoma to commence work on the Tacoma Program Center renovation.  While we wish that we were two months into the reconstruction process by now, we are not overly surprised that the plan approval and permit process has not proceeded as rapidly as would be ideally desired.  We're still hopeful that we will be able to get started before the end of the year, but are intent to get going whenever the permits are issued.

In the meantime, we have been fine-tuning the Program Center design and have been busy working on various activities to celebrate the centennial celebration of the Tacoma Mountaineers in 2012!  One of the activities that has been undertaken is to publish installments of Tacoma Mountaineers history on a blog.  Be sure to read about the incredibly rich history of the Tacoma Mountaineers in this historical account that will be updated approximately monthly!

Local walk to Dupont - 1916

Renovation to Commence October 3, 2011!

Merit Construction Northwest (MCNW) has been selected as the renovation project General Contractor from a short-list of three finalists.  Variances were granted by the City of Tacoma for height (small variance) and parking (conditions include addition of ADA parking space and lease for parking spaces on evenings and weekends with a local business), so the major hurdles to realization of the project have been surmounted!  For the rest of September work parties will be cleaning the various material of 55-years worth of occupation from the Clubhouse, and work on the project is scheduled to commence October 3.  Check back frequently for updates.

The Mountaineers - Tacoma Program Center

Contractor RFQs Issued

We have progressed far enough that we have send out Requests For Qualification (RFQs) to several contractors we have qualified.  All have expressed a strong interest in the project and are starting to work on preparing a preliminary bid.  Shortly we will be interviewing contractors and starting the selection process.  Here are the latest iterations of the first and second floor plans:

First Floor Plan

Second Floor Plan

 And a couple updated renderings:

View of front of building from North 30th Street

View of rear of building from Carr Street

As you can see in the renderings, the building is designed for a "green roof" which had generated a lot of interest.  We're quite excited with this and other design elements - check back frequently and we'll discuss these in more detail!

South Sound Program Center Gathering Steam!

A complete feasibility study for the South Sound Program Center (SSPC) has been approved by the Boards of The Mountaineers and The Mountaineers Foundation, and is currently underway.  The feasibility study will result in a detailed cost estimate and ultimately firm bids from contractors.  Assuming that the cost estimate and bids come in as anticipated, there is a strong likelihood that the project will move forward, subject to final approval again by the two Boards.  With the assumption of approval, key dates for the project are as follows:

• August, 2011 – Receive bids and select contractor
• October, 2011 – Commence renovation
• February, 2012 – Activities start in new facility!
• March, 2012 – Tacoma Mountaineers 100-year anniversary

As the project progresses, further images, floor plans, project schedules and updates will be provided, so check back frequently!  Also, look in this space for notice of a branch meeting that will be scheduled in the next several weeks where detailed information on the project will be shared and interested members can weigh in (notice will also be given in an e-mail).

Appeal for volunteer assistance:  There are a lot of very exciting things going on now in The Mountaineers, and particularly the Tacoma Branch, with the SSPC project, the approach of the branch's 100-year anniversary and others.  All these exciting things mean that there is a lot to do, and we need and would love additional assistance from our great members to get it all done.  Some of the things we need assistance with are:

• Fundraising conception and execution for the SSPC
• Planning for the Tacoma Branch 100-year anniversary
• Participation as Board Trustee and/or officer 

Please contact me (Geoff Lawrence) if you would like to participate in one or more of these things - we need you!  geoff.lawrence@tacomamountaineers.org.

Help Us Design the Tacoma Program Center

The Tacoma Branch Managing Committee is working with a Tacoma-based  design firm and an architect to develop the preliminary concept drawings for the Tacoma Program Center.  The concept currently features:

• A Great Hall for community gatherings and large classes.
• A classroom for class sizes up to 30 students.
• A conference room for committee and small group meetings.
• A climbing wall covering the rear of the building for training and practice.  The wall is partially covered by the roof eaves to provide protection from the weather.
• A professional kitchen to support Mountaineers events and rentals.

Front Elevation

The design calls for retaining most of the exterior walls of the existing clubhouse.  Several materials such as beams, cedar paneling and roof decking will be reclaimed for use in the new Program Center.


You can download the current drawings here:
Elevation A
Elevation B
First Floor
Second Floor

We want your design ideas.  What features would you like to see to help further our teaching and community outreach capabilities?  Post you comments below.

Our Design Partners

AHBL is a northwest design firm that has a great deal of experience in projects the size of the Tacoma Program Center and larger.  Their Tacoma office happens to be across the street from the Tacoma Clubhouse creating the perfect opportunity to seek out one of our neighbors in improving the Old Town community. You can read about other AHBL projects here.

Amy Dedominicis is a local Tacoma architect specializing in Rustic-Modern design.  She was the project architect for the Tillamook Forest Interpretive Center along with many other community and outdoor centers.

Brunhilde Wislicenus Grant Request

The Tacoma Branch of the Mountaineers' strategic vision is to become the center for outdoors and conservation activities in the South Puget Sound.  As a key component of that goal the Tacoma Managing Committee is developing a grant request for the Mountaineers Foundation Brunhilde Wislicenus Fund to develop the Tacoma Program Center by renovating the existing Tacoma Clubhouse.

Brunhilde Wislicenus, a long time Tacoma Branch member, donated her entire estate in 2007 to the Mountaineers Foundation.  It was her wish that the money benefit the Tacoma Branch and Pierce County. We believe a Mountaineers Program Center in Tacoma serving the South Puget Sound region will build a lasting legacy for Bruni's generous gift and honor her wishes to benefit the Tacoma Branch and Pierce County. 

Several things need to happen to successfully build the new Program Center.  

1) The Mountaineers needs to become a 501 (c3) organization so that charitable funds can be used for a capital project.  The Mountaineers have submitted their c3 application and should receive a ruling in three to nine months.

2) The Mountaineers Fundraising Committee and The Mountaineers Board need to accept the Tacoma Program Center application as the most appropriate and best use of the Bruni Fund.

3) The Mountaineers Foundation similarly needs to agree that the Tacoma Program Center is the best use of the Bruni Fund. We will submit our initial proposal to the Foundation on August 22.

You can help.  In the comments section below you can post why you think the Tacoma Program Center will support the strategic plan for the Mountaineers and The grant guidelines for the Mountaineers Foundation.  We will share the comments with the Mountaineers Board and the Foundation Board.


Thanks,


Darin Brekke
Tacoma Branch Chair