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Capital Projects » Dobyns-Bennett High School - Buck Van Huss Dome Renovation

Dobyns-Bennett High School - Buck Van Huss Dome Renovation

  • Description: Renovate gymnasium Lamella roof structure, seating, HVAC, electrical, gym floor, activities office, lobby, entry plaza, rear entrance and parking, scoreboard, and other identified items.
  • Bid Opening Date:  September 13, 2023
  • Date BOE Approved:  September 26, 2023
  • Approved Project Cost:  $23,215,000
  • Funding Source:  City of Kingsport Bond Issuance; KCS D-B Renovation Fund
  • Contractor:  Preston Construction
  • Anticipated Completion Date:  March 2025
  • Approval Documentation
 

FAQ

 
As a part of the overall re-roof of the Dobyns-Bennett High School facility, a new roof was slated to be installed over the dome exterior.  With the interior lamella dome structure being made of wood, over 50 years old, and understanding (like any dome) heat rises and is "trapped" in the upper area, it was decided to proactively test the wood beams to ensure they were sound for a re-roof.  The results of that test, completed in Summer 2022, determined that the moisture content in the upper wood tension rings was not at a level that engineers were comfortable with should an external event such as a heavy snow load, down draft, or seismic event occur.  At that time, the Dome was close as a precaution while a long-term remedy was explored.
The most significant renovation will take place in the Dome roof structure, where steel I-Beams will be placed below existing wood beams to provide long-term stability and support.  Additional ceiling panels will be installed between the steel beams, replicating the look of the iconic existing structure.  
 
But the renovation project is also an opportunity to provide additional updates and enhancements to the 50+ year old facility.  These include new seating in both the upper and lower seating areas, a new gym floor, a new modern HVAC system, LED lighting upgrades, a 4-panel center-hung scoreboard, new basketball goals, and locker room renovations.  A new D-B Activities Office is being constructed to provide a new and safety-focused public entrance.  Additionally, parking, entrance, and lobby renovations at both the front and back Dome entrances will provide an updated and more accessible point of entry for school guests.
The full renovation project is currently expected to be completed by March 2025.

project update

4/19/23:  Dome work includes completion of 3rd steel ring installation, completion of rough-in for lighting and mock-up area, beginning to pull wiring for new lighting, setting of panels and transformers with wires pulled, continuation of the rough-in for rooftop HVAC units, and electrical demolition for old moveable bleachers.  Activities Office work includes wood blocking installed in walls, completion of drywall installation, beginning of drywall finishing, installation of HVAC unit and toilet rough-in underway, and fire caulking of the fire wall completed.  Wire pulling and electrical rough-in for lights and low voltage in the lobby area.  Locker room work includes removal of lockers and bases, completion of drywall chase around relocated plumbing lines, masonry and concrete patching, running of conduit for new lights in weight room, installation of new conduit in locker rooms, installation of fixtures in bathrooms, painting of walls at locations where lockers were removed, completion of painting in the wrestling room, and ceiling painting in varsity locker rooms.  Continuation of sound panel installation in Auxiliary Gym.  Electrical rough-in in the front entry plaza.
 
4/3/24:  Completion of 2nd steel ring inspection.  Dome work includes start of installation of 3rd steel ring, start install of framing for tectum panels, continued rough-in for lighting, and drywall on frame out enclosures where no ductwork is to be installed. Field measuring for HVAC ductwork and fixed seating installation took place, as well as pouring of standing area concrete.  Plumbing rough-in for new bathroom in Activities Office and electrical rough-in for lights in front lobby.  Locker room work includes 2nd coat of paint in the wrestling room, installation of ceramic tile in volleyball locker room, and masonry patching.  Continued installation of sound panels in Auxiliary Gym.  Pouring of pilasters on front ramp.
 
3/22/24:  2nd ring of structural steel installation complete.  Installation work beginning on ring 3.  Wall demolition and painting in wrestling room complete.   
 
3/15/24:  Continuing to install 2nd ring of structural steel.  2nd ring expected to be complete within two weeks.  Continuing to cut openings and masonry patch around openings for new HVAC supply lines in Dome.  Installing metal framing at locations where returns are not being reused.  Working on building forms for new standing area above main entrance.  Continuing to rough-in for electrical.  Excavating trench to prepare for new sump pumps to clear groundwater in lower hallway area.  Framing drywall above new masonry wall in the Activities Office area.  Demolition of walls and painting occurring in wrestling room.  Patching masonry and new wall in locker room area.  Rerouting drain lines in boys basketball locker room.  Installation of wood flooring in the auxiliary gym.  Forming of pilasters on the front plaza entry ramps.
 
2/29/24:  Completed first ring of structural steel install.  Completed saw cutting and concrete removal for trench drain. Continued electrical rough-in for lights and new panels in gym.  Plumbing rough-in for new restroom in activities office. Saw cut floor for drainage line relocation in locker rooms. Painting of walls, ceiling, and ductwork in auxiliary gym.  Mobilization or equipment and installation of silt fence in parking lot area.
 
1/31/24:  Ongoing demolition in multiple locations. Basketball goals removed from aux. gym. Masonry work in activities office and locker rooms.  Framing of walls in activities office.  Finished installation of steel ring beam in dome.  Painting in multiple locations (weight room, dome steel).  Layout of new rear parking area, ADA parking, and plaza entry.  Demolition work of plaza entry concrete.
 
1/17/24:  Demo of sprinkler piping and removal of glue in the Activities Office area.  Completed prepping of wall paint in main lobby restrooms.  Continued installation of ring plates and testing/inspection of welds. Removal of mats in weight room. Demolition of floor tile in volleyball locker room.
 
1/4/24:  Demolition completed:  Activities HVAC, Lobby, select items in Activities area.  Lobby storefront doors and frames removed w/ temp walls installed. Lover level bathroom flooring removed.  Demolition in cheerleader locker room.  Demolition of doors in rear lobby.  Installation of all steel bearing columns in dome area.  Continued installation of perimeter ring bearing plate in in dome.
 
12/13/23:  Electrical demolition of activities area complete.  Wall demolition in activities area ongoing.  Steel mock-up in gym area complete, with ceiling panel installation underway.  Gym lobby area ceiling tiles removed.
 
11/30/23:  Demolition of seating areas complete. Demolition of gym floor (except area under structural support) complete. HVAC/Mechanical units removed from gym area. Electrical demolition underway in activities area.  Initial steel structure mock-up area being installed. 
 
11/15/23:  Temporary fencing and barricades installed. Gym floor removal underway. HVAC/Mechanical units in gym disconnected. Lower-bowl bleachers disassembled and removed.  Staging of equipment for installation of steel begun.  Demolition of seating and HVAC/mechanical units in gym underway.
 
9/26/23: Project approved by BOE.  Project to be presented for approval to the Kingsport BMA on 10/3/23.
Dome Pano1