Steady progress
Large construction project pumps cash into local economy
By Larry Meyer
Argus Observer
Thursday, October 23, 2008 10:13 AM PDT
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| The first lift of blocks on the new Ontario National Guard armory is in place on what will be the assembly hall, as construction activity at the site picks up. An open house was hosted by the National Guard Wednesday evening. |
ONTARIO — Progress on the new Oregon Army National Guard Readiness Center is visible as the walls of the structure are up, and Guard leaders and representatives of the general contractor hosted an open house Wednesday at the construction site to explain the project to neighbors.
The site — on Southwest Fourth Street near Treasure Valley Community College — is a busy one as workers representing four different subcontractors work side by side to finish the ambitious venture.
Concrete, electrical, masons and plumbing contractors are currently at work on the multi-million dollar project, Jared Martin project engineer for Petra Inc., the general contractor said.
“We just manage the project,” he said. “We’re the largest general contractor that does work in the valley.”
What is being walled up now is the main assembly hall, which will eventually be the highest point in the building, and some adjacent areas, including the weapons vault. Although officials would have liked to perform tasks inside during the colder weather, Gary Oliver, Petra site superintendent, said workers will be laying block through the colder months.
In addition to the assembly hall, the building will include classrooms, a five-lane firing range, a kitchen, a workout facility and other training facilities for Ontario’s citizen-soldier outfit. Treasure Valley Community College also plans to use at least two of the classrooms and the assembly hall, which will be available for use by the public. The site was purchased from TVCC. Some of the latest technology is being used during construction. The contractors are implementing a special video system to allow officials at different locations to view the construction using real-time photos on- line and discuss specific issues that may come up without everyone having to travel to the site. Two cameras are being used, one stationary and one hand-held.
The armory may not be the most expensive or the largest, but Jim Willeford, chief of the Oregon Military Department’s construction branch, said, “This one will be the best.”
He specifically expressed pride at the efforts to make the new armory as energy efficient as possible. He said the Guard will spend $1.2 million on solar installations for the armory, using different technologies, including fixed panels and active panels, to test which ones are most efficient.
