Renovation Work in Progress


	Give Back Fundraiser Renovation Work Completed 1999 Dining Room New chairs and dishes were installed into the Bob Palin Memorial Dining Room thanks to efforts of Bill Todd '57, Don Oliver '58, Jim Lee '59 and Ron Lundquist '57. Tables received new oak trimmed tops and light fixtures were overhauled 2000 Brick & Mortar All crumbling mortar on The House was ground out and the bricks repointed with matching mortar. The front porch step walls were disassembled and reconstructed. The settled granite steps were fork-lifted back into level position. Yet to do is the back wall, garage and Ski Shack repair. Entry Tile Floor The badly cracked and settled tile entry floor was totally removed, the fill compacted, a 2" slab poured with reinforcing steel mesh and factory ordered custom 1" square tiles reset in the original pattern by a local artisan. Both the Brick & Mortar and Entry Tile Floor repairs were made possible by a generous gift by Jim Murphy ‘51 in memory of his mother (also Beta Delta’s last House Mother). Galley Doors The weathered USS Montana Galley Doors featuring the Seals of Montana and US were refinished and rehung in their place of honor thanks to the efforts of John Rimel ‘79. Carport Roof Repairs A team of actives and alumni lead Dan Cederberg ‘75 and Bob Rowe ‘80 carefully removed the tiles, stacked them on pallets and stored them in the garage. Damaged wood was repaired with clear redwood and 90 lb. rolled roofing installed to protect it until the tile roof can be restored. Sigma Chi Bell Display At Homecoming 2000, the Sigma Chi Bell was installed in the Adams Field House Lobby amongst much pomp and ceremony. UM President George Dennison graciously accepted the loan of the Sigma Bell on behalf of the community as an enduring symbol of Montana history. Col. Sam Roberts ‘41 gave a moving speech reminding all of the great sacrifice made by the Beta Delta War Dead to which the Bell is dedicated. The Bell hangs proudly atop a cylindrical oak platform capped with a polished granite base engraved with IN HOC SIGNO VINCES and the White Cross of Sigma Chi. An audio feature is being added to hear the Bell toll, Beta Delta’s history and to play "The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi". 2001 Winter Projects Coordinated by Brad Colberg '82, Bob Rowe '80 and Mark Peterson '76: Boiler Room Firewall Fire walls and doors were installed to enclose the boiler Basement Stairs Rebuilt The steps leading to the old Pool Room, now the TV Room, were totally rebuilt. Pool Table Renovation After many years of disrepair, the pool table was stripped, refinished and new pockets, felt and bumpers were installed Fire Escape Stair Repair New non-skid treads were added as well as new handrails to the concrete steps leading to the parking lot. Summer Projects Roofing We embarked on our biggest project with the tile roof. Due to the cost and availability of the original tile from Ludowici, it was decided to use Ludowici trim tiles (hip and ridge only) and supplement them with Gladding McBean field tiles. Gladding McBean tiles carry a 75 year warranty (same as Ludowici) and are 75% less expensive. Included in the roofing project is the garage which hasn't had a tile roof for 30 years. In the early 1970s, the tile was removed to repair the House roof. The roof repair proved to be daunting. Sections of the fire escape had to be removed as well as all the tile and underlayment. Dryrot repair was done in selected areas as well as considerable wasp control (lots of nice tile voids for nesting). All of the fascia was replaced with high quality redwood. When the roof deck was all repaired, the entire roof was covered with ice and water shield underlayment, the best money can buy. That product was further overlaid with a 90# roofing paper to protect it from tile abrasion. Then, the field tiles were installed starting at the roof edge and working back to the ridges. All tiles were set with copper nails, just like the original installation. The final phase included installing the ridge and hip tiles which include the distinctive "bump" tiles. Those tiles proved to be the project stopper. Since only Ludowici makes them at an exorbitant price, we attempted to get used replacements from historical tile suppliers. Unfortunately, the particular tiles we needed were unavailable so custom made tiles have been ordered. Long story short...the project was stopped at 95% complete in Fall 2001 to be resumed in Summer 2002 when the special tiles are available. Also yet to be completed: The fascia will be wrapped in copper, copper gutters installed and copper chimney caps added. Painting All fascia and soffit repainted. . Music Room Brothers Joe Ford '72, John Rimel '79 and Bob Rowe '80 collaborated in this project. Due to a steam pipe leak several years ago, the west wall was damaged along with the wall paper. After wall and plumbing repairs were completed, Joe selected a new paper and arranged installation. John had the piano totally refinished (looks new) and Bob had selected memorabilia (Active and Alumni Chapter Charters, picture of Prof Scheuch) elegantly framed and mounted. The overall look is smashing! Pocket Door Repairs John Rimel '79 arranged repair of the long broken pocket doors to the Music, Living and Dining Rooms. New Main Floor Furniture Just in time for Homecoming, the Reception Room, Living Room and Library were graced with new leather furniture, end tables and lamps. DSL/Broadband Wiring Computer guru Joe Ford supplied and installed DSL/Broadband wiring throughout the House so the brothers could take advantage of the latest technology. Sundeck Repair A new heavy duty waterproofing membrane was installed. 2002 Roof replacement project 90% complete Fire Escape Upgrade. 50% complete Replace 45 windows with double pane energy efficient units. Completed. Repair the brick wall Completed. New kitchen flooring Completed. New door from Breakfast Nook to Basement and refinish stairs. Completed 2003 Roof replacement project. Completed. Fire escape upgrade. Completed. 2004 Upgrade smoke & heat detection system 2005 Lawn sprinkler system Landscape overhaul Tree removals Fire safety upgrades (Siberia egress window, Active Chapter Room floor and benches refinished (by Actives) 2006 Carpeted Active Stairs, 2nd floor bedrooms, hallway, Siberia stairs Painted 1st, 2nd and 3rd floors. Draperies in Music Room, Living Room and Dining Room Fire sprinkler system Rubber tread system for Sundeck Please Contribute We need you to contribute financially so this work can be completed. 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