School renovation project is underway

Workers took down the chimney at the old Sisters Middle School building brick-by-brick last week. They were salvaging the bricks to use for entry pillars when the site is restored for use as the school district’s administration offices.

As they worked on the roof, another small crew was ripping out flooring and divider walls in a process district facilities manager Bob Martin called “selective gutting.”

“Once this demolition is done, we’ll go right to framing inside,” he said.

Asbestos was cleared from the building on the corner of Highway 20 and Locust Street weeks earlier to prepare for the $425,000 renovation project, which is being paid for by proceeds from the sale of much of the old middle school property to the Deschutes Public Library District and the City of Sisters. Once completed, the administration building will be part of a campus of public buildings, including a new Sisters Library and a new City Hall.

The entry of the building will face north toward the other two buildings.

The interior of the office building will be remodeled based on the needs of the school district’s administrative staff. It will include conference space that could be used as overflow classroom space for Sisters Elementary School.

The electrical system is being entirely replaced.

“One of the things that was recommended by the electrical engineer was that the building be rewired,” Martin said.

A new electrical service will be installed and a 400-amp panel will replace the previous 200-amp panel.

The new configuration of the 1938-vintage building is not the first time the facility has undergone a remodel. There was evidence revealed in the demolition of old doors framed in and different room and window configurations.

The hallways and rooms will be carpeted. The entryway will be a hard surface, as yet undetermined; bathrooms will be tiled.

Martin said he is still working on bids for window replacement and working with the district’s historical consultant to see whether windows must remain true-divided lites, which are more expensive.

“Replacing all the windows is an expensive proposition,” he said.

The district has rented space in the Heritage Building on the corner of Hood Avenue and Pine Street for many years. The new facility, owned by the district, will free the schools from rent payments.

Martin said he expects the building to be finished around the end of October and the staff targets their move for Thanksgiving weekend.