By Don Murtha
The Mount Angel Community Building came a little closer to occupancy Saturday, Aug. 13 with the efforts of a team of more than 40 volunteers. The work of the volunteers will assure that the new building will be ready for Oktoberfest Sept. 15 – 18.
“This building will be a tremendous landmark for Mount Angel,” said architect Victor Madge, who along with architect Mike Wellman designed the building.
“We did extensive research to be sure the building would be in keeping with the Bavarian theme of the community,” Madge said. “We wanted to make it a special place.”
Madge said the structure will make an excellent location for weddings, festivals, plays, trade shows, musical entertainment and other events.
“This will be a game changer,” he said. “It will be far different from the old Oktoberfest beer hall.”
For one thing, he said, the acoustics will be greatly improved from the noisy steel barn where sound echoed. There will be acoustical material throughout the interior and panels hung to give additional sound control.
“The building is going to give a real boost to Mount Angel’s image,” Madge said. “It’s going to look tremendous.”
The construction will be done in two phases. The first will encompass completion all of the work necessary to meet requirements for occupancy, including electrical, plumbing, restrooms, doors, flooring, a stage, food service, a bar, and interior décor.
Phase II will include completion of the kitchen, installation of gallery seating on the second floor, upstairs restrooms, the board room, a public meeting room, an elevator and more acoustical panels.
Jerry Lauzon, public information director for Oktoberfest, said Phase I is fully financed. Phase II will cost about $300,000 and will take about three years for final completion. The Mount Angel Community Foundation continues to provide more funding for the project.
“With the volunteer support we have here today we gained about $10,000 in labor alone, “Lauzon said. “With that kind of support we are sure to raise what we need for completion.”
Rich Duncan is the contractor on the building project. Last Year Duncan organized the Extreme Makeover for the Salem School for the Deaf.
For this day Duncan’s experience, the Oktoberfest board and community volunteers teamed to push closer to completion.
Some of the tasks included painting, caulking, installing custom windows made by Berning Cabinets, “Old World” half-timber-style trim work on the exterior, wood work on and around the stage, mounting of corbels provided by the Grant Co. of Mount Angel and many other jobs.
John Gooley, Oktoberfest board president, said in addition to the volunteer labor, many companies provided refreshments and services including Mount Angel Sausage Co., Pepsi Beverage Co. of Mount Angel, RSC Rental Co. which provided high lift and material handling equipment, and Honey Buckets toilets and washstands.
