Italy High School gymnasium construction photo journal
Rendering of the Italy High School Multipurpose Center in Italy, Texas.
The Italy High School Multipurpose Center is a 148-foot diameter gymnasium in Italy, Texas. The finished gym will accommodate 1500 and is expected to be finished on December 1, 2001. The facility will be used for basketball, physical education, volleyball, theatrical performances, and more. Beyond the gymnasium floor, the building includes locker rooms, restrooms, storage, a concession stand, and a ticket booth. The dome will also serve as an emergency shelter during severe weather.
Captions by Kris Garrison and photos by David Collins
January 22, 2001 – Footing preparations for the 148-foot multipurpose building.
January 22, 2001 – Workers pour the concrete footing.
January 24, 2001 – The beginning stages of the construction of the 16-foot Orion wall.
January 26, 2001 – Construction of the 16-foot Orion wall provides a spray-in-place surface for the reinforced concrete wall to which the Airform is attached.
January 31, 2001 – This photo shows the expansiveness the Orion wall offers. Doors and ventilation spaces are framed before concrete spraying begins.
February 7, 2001 – The initial layer of concrete is applied and horizontal and vertical rebar is put in place. The depth gauges show the potential thickness of the dome wall.
February 19, 2001 – The Airform is unfolded inside the Orion walls to prepare for attachment to the top of the wall.
February 24, 2001 – The Airform membrane is attached and the 148-foot dome structure is fully inflated. Work continues inside.
March 2001 – View of the interior after the initial layer of concrete and placement of rebar hangers and a partial layout of the vertical and horizontal rebar.
April 12, 2001 – Worker removes form-work from Orion stem-wall.
April 24, 2001 – The plywood form for the Orion wall is removed.
April 24, 2001 – Plumbing preparations begin.
June 5, 2001 – Aerial view of the facility after fans are turned off and structure is complete.
June 6, 2001 – Rebar is placed for the interior concrete floor preparations.
June 18, 2001 – Concrete floor for the basketball floor was poured first. Workers trowel the concrete.
June 26, 2001 – Entire interior concrete floor is level and complete.
June 27, 2001 – Upright steel support of bleachers and metal welding in process for seating.
June 27, 2001 – Bleachers are securely attached directly to the concrete dome wall.
June 27, 2001 – Installation of the heating and cooling system.
July 2001 – Architect Rick Crandall tours the facility and speaks with a school administrator about the installed upper-level bleachers.
July 4, 2001 – Exterior addition of the ticket booth and entryway. This was done with the spray-in-place process and a poured concrete ceiling.
August 14, 2001 – Exterior view after the application of stained acrylic stucco.
September 2001 – Workers pour concrete for upper-level bleachers.
September 2001 – Concrete is troweled smooth to form the upper-level floor and bleachers.
September 2001 – Workers prepare and weld segments of the catwalk prior to its installation.
October 2001 – Guard rail on the upper level being painted.
October 2001 – Steel-framed interior walls prepared for drywall. Several staircases — throughout the facility — lead to the upper level.
October 2001 – The scissor lift is extended to build the catwalk at the dome’s top. The HVAC system can be accessed by the catwalk and is covered by a hung ceiling.
October 2001 – Installation of the shower units in locker rooms.
October 2001 – The staircase on the upper level is smooth concrete. Stadium seating will be installed on the upper level.
November 2001 – Panoramic view of the hung ceiling, scoreboard, upper-level guardrail, and concrete foundation for seating.
November 2001 – Four-sided digital scoreboard installed — suspended from the dome shell.
David B. South stands outside Italy High School Multipurpose Center. David and staff have enjoyed visiting the facility often and keeping records of its progress.
January 3, 2002 – The gymnasium floor nears its completion. IHS Multipurpose dome will feature a “Boston Square” floor pattern. The dome shell has been painted black which provides a beautiful background for lighting.
January 2002 – Panoramic view. Multipurpose building will feature a full-size basketball court and also be used for volleyball, pep rallies, graduations, band performances, physical education classes, and more. The hung ceiling contributes to better acoustics in the facility. The upper seating is complete. Workers construct the retractable bleachers on the floor. The interior also nears completion. The estimated completion is Jan. 15, 2002.