Underway and Going Strong

Three weeks in, and what a year it's been so far! After spending much of the first week covering important safety topics, the students in the architecture and construction program have hit the ground running. With an already-exciting list of projects ahead, we have added two more projects, a complete restoration of a 1950's era mahogany runabout and a new 12' x 24' storage building for the Career Tech Center's custodian. Braving the instense summer heat, the students from Lafayette and Valley High Schools have been learning to properly use the power and hand tools commonly found in the construction industry while working to get the canoes and storage building projects off the ground.

With the storage building to be located on a steep hillside, the importance of proper planning quickly became evident as the students learned to use a builder's level to set up batter boards and site the project on the hillside. With these tools and detailed instructions, the students have sited the structure, determined the finished floor elevations, and dug footings in preparation for the concrete that will be arriving soon.

With our non-air conditioned shop providing little relief from the heat, the afternoon classes have industriously approached the tasks involved in constructing their wooden strip canoes and beggining the restoration process on the mahogany runabout. Rough sawn sassafras and walnut has been planed, jointed, cut into 1/4" x 3/4" lengths, and run through the router to create cove and bead strips. Now the construction process can begin in earnest.

With all of the excitement around the shop, it's hard to imagine more is yet to come. But, the groundbreaking Langdale Mill guesthouse project is still in progress. Beginning around the middle of September, the students from Valley High School will spend two or three mornings a week working to continue the restoration of this home. They will complete the installation of the environmentally-friendly exterior siding and finishes and build a small addition onto the rear of the house. We would love for you to stop by the school and see all of the exciting projects underway!