Questions and Answers: Structural Concerns about CVHS Bleachers
September 10, 2008 05:52 PM
How do we know there are safety concerns with the CVHS bleachers?
In 1997, parent volunteers spearheaded an effort to upgrade the Crescent Valley High School football field. One of the changes included grandstand bleachers that were purchased from OSU and installed by volunteers. The bleachers were inspected in 2006 and found to be in safe condition. Based on concerns that the bleachers may need further repairs now, staff recently requested an updated structural engineering review of the CV football bleachers.
What were the findings of the engineering review on the bleachers?
The review, completed in late August, surfaced several safety concerns. Although the steel trusses were found to be generally safe, the wooden seats and floorboards need work. The press box flooring is not strong enough to hold a live load. The scaffolding support system for the press box and its foundations do not appear to be adequate for the gravity, wind, and seismic codes required if it were built today.
What immediate steps is the district taking to address the safety concerns?
Safety of our students and visitors is of critical importance. Staff has planned the following immediate steps to address the safety concerns: close the press box; close the top three rows of seating to students and visitors; replace visibly damaged or broken seat and foot boards; and arrange for temporary bleachers to be installed and available to those people who choose not to sit in the grandstands. A further inspection of the floor boards and seats is being conducted to determine any additional immediate steps. The engineering firm agreed that these actions were a logical response to the concerns raised in their report. In addition, extra supervision will be provided during games to enforce the closure of these areas, a notice will be distributed to stadium attendees regarding the condition of the grandstands and urging them to use caution, and signs will be posted.
What will be the long term solution to address these concerns?
The School Board will decide between two long term solutions to either repair or replace the grandstands. District staff is currently seeking cost estimates for both options. The cost of the renovations will be paid for by the district, not the school. However, neither of these options could be completed before the end of the football season.
Why wasn’t money earmarked in the 2002 bond levy to address CV’s bleacher issues when CHS received funding for new grandstands, fields, and a track?
In the early 2000s, when the new school construction bonds were planned, the decision was made to keep Corvallis High School located at its present site based on strong feedback from our community. To locate the new high school at the CHS site, the grandstands, field, and track had to be moved, so they were replaced. When that decision was made, the grandstands at Crescent Valley had been in place less than four years and were considered to be in good condition. Millions of bond dollars were earmarked and spent at CV on other projects to renovate and modernize the building.
