3 Kings Environmental’s Eco-friendly Demolition of Historic Bend Senior High School Auditorium
Job details
The auditorium at Bend Senior High School in Bend, Oregon has been a staple of entertainment in Central Oregon for decades. Hosting a wide variety of shows, concerts, and performances over the last 69 years, the large auditorium has seen its fair share of use since its construction in 1955. The Bend Senior High School auditorium is one of the largest venues of its kind in the area, with a seating capacity of 1,400 people. This is about double that of other auditoriums in the area.
Initially, there was water damage that is believed to have originated from sprinkler system leaks. Those leaks lead to damages that affected the structural integrity of the auditorium. It was officially deemed “unsafe” and the planning for the emergency demolition of the iconic venue commenced.
Due to the large scale of the project in both size and community importance, the Bend-LaPine School District had to choose a demolition company that would not only be up to the task, but could do so while implementing safe and eco-friendly practices that comply with local and state regulations.
Specific Environmental Considerations and Community Impact
For nearly 70 years, the community of Bend, Oregon enjoyed the Bend Senior High School Auditorium as a place to see ballet recitals, plays, and concerts. It also hosted several community meetings throughout its history. This venue meant a lot to the people of Bend and the surrounding area, so when the news came down that it had to be demolished instead of renovated, it caused a bit of disappointment. We at 3 Kings are in the business of keeping buildings and materials functional and in use for as long as possible, but not everything can be preserved, especially when it comes to the safety hazards an unstable structure poses to students and faculty.
3 Kings Environmental has had plenty of experience with deconstructing important local community buildings when their lifespans drew to a close. Buildings like the Wenatchee Valley YMCA and other commercial and residential buildings in the Pacific Northwest have been meticulously torn down by our team of expert employees. What sets us apart from less environmentally conscious demolition crews is our attention to detail and dedication to reducing the harm we have on the surrounding areas.
Whenever we take on a job of this magnitude, or any magnitude, we are sure to follow all regulations regarding safety and environmental responsibility. Beyond this, we are able to repurpose many of the products that come from our deconstruction jobs into other products or materials for new constructions or remodels. For example, we use demolished concrete walls and structures as backfill for new concrete pours and additions. This makes it that much more important to us to take a great deal of care when it comes to demolishing, sorting, and recycling the materials from a jobsite.
Not only do we repurpose what some may consider to be trash into materials for other jobs, we take some of the best materials we find like old wood, glass, and metal and send them to Vintage Reclaimed. Our sister company uses these salvaged materials to create new and unique works of art, furniture, and more! Materials that would have otherwise been thrown in a landfill or worse, can now be fashioned by skilled tradespeople into chairs, windows, mantles, tables, and a wide array of pieces that are sure to be great conversation pieces in your home or business.
During our deconstruction process, we make sure to do as much as we can to get our jobs done quickly and with the least amount of negative environmental impact as possible. We find reuse or recycle a good deal of the materials, but the things that can’t be due to the amount of damage or other factors are also dealt with carefully. We are experienced with removing hazardous materials that are more often found in older buildings and structures like lead paint, asbestos, and other harmful chemicals. These dangerous materials are taken to designated sites that dispose of them properly.
Final Thoughts
Whenever a building of this reputation is torn down, it is natural for people, especially those with personal ties to the place, to feel bad about its demolition. While the building itself may no longer stand, thanks to the sustainable practices employed by 3 Kings Environmental, pieces of the Bend Senior High School Auditorium will live on through new constructions. This will make less of a negative impact on the surrounding natural world. It will also make way for a new building that will continue to serve its community for many years to come.
Read the full article and see our team in action at Central Oregon Daily
