Centennial Fine Arts Center roof in final steps of renovation

By Susan Wetmore

White Pine Community Choir Association members have been delighted to watch work unfold up on the rooftop of the Centennial Fine Arts Center.

Several weeks ago the top layer of shingles was removed through a partnership with the EPA’s Brownfields program and the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection.

Fong Construction is now on site to take over the remainder of the project: the demolition of the remaining two roofing layers still on the top of the building, and the installation of a brand new roof meeting historic standards.

“We removed the old cornices from the building last week,” said Paul Jauch, project supervisor, “and our roofing crew got to work this week taking off those bottom two roof layers.”

Jauch went on to explain that the next steps are the installation of plywood sheathing, and then the actual construction of the new roof using the shingles approved by the Nevada State Historic Preservation Office.

The final step will be the installation of new cornices which have been specially milled to match the cornices put on the building in 1927.

“We are so relieved that we are finally seeing progress up there,” said Lori Drew, choir association treasurer. “We are happy that there will be a good roof up there before the snow flies.”

This is the second major project at the Centennial Fine Arts Center this year. The first one, which was completed in July, was the construction of the elevator shaft that will provide ADA access into the building.

“It will be wonderful to have the building ready to serve the community,” stated Drew.”This building will offer our community another place to hold meetings and gatherings.”

The Centennial Fine Arts Center, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was built in 1927 and served the community as the stake center for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.