| development | a new hat
Replacing the brittle roof, which was long past its prime after many years of exposure to the elements, was the critical first step in rehabilitating the historic Gilvin Roth YMCA building that now serves as the Foothills Arts Center in Elkin, North Carolina.
The previous roof was permeated by rainwater with every passing storm, and the leaks were quickly causing thousands of dollars’ worth of damage within the attic and on the floor directly below, where the Yadkin Valley Fiber Center is currently operating.
To temporarily mitigate the detrimental effects of the water, previous tenets moved a number of 100-gallon rain barrels into the attic, fastening tarps to the trusses to channel moisture into the containers. The buckets had to be emptied periodically, a precarious chore that no one was excited to complete.
When we closed on the new center, we inherited endless possibilities. Unfortunately, we also inherited an attic filled with 100-gallon rain barrels that we had to sump-pump rainwater out of weekly due to roof leaks. I called this process the Dance of the Rain Barrels, to make it seem a bit less arduous.
Although I'm sure this dance would have been comical to an onlooker, the task — which took between one and two hours to complete — was particularly unpleasant during the summer months, when the attic temperature regularly exceeded 140 degrees.
I'm overjoyed that the roof has now been replaced, and the Dance of the Rain Barrels has seen its final curtain call.
— Dan Butner, Director
| wouldn’t want to miss a shingle detail
The new roof is a Landmark® Pro Maximum Definition shingle, produced by CertainTeed. The vibrant shingle is designed with weathering asphalt over a fiberglass matting, providing ample protection against moisture.
Application of the new roof is part of an initial $200,000 investment in the structure. Other improvements include new HVAC systems and the first round of necessary electrical, pluming, and safety updates.
Says Butner, "Work on the building is beginning with a new heating and air system. When Chatham was in operation, one giant boiler provided steam heat to the entire complex of buildings. However, the central boiler was removed years ago due to the exorbitant cost of operation. We've made do the last couple of winters using space heaters in areas of the building occupied by programs, offices, and studios. Though I suppose seeing your breath while working at your desk in the winter is romantic in a Dickensian sort of way, I'll be glad when those days are also a distant memory.”
Each of these crucial repairs or improvements to the structure is necessary to preserve the landmark and make it safe and inhabitable for instructors, students, staff, and the community, but do not address the overarching renovations planned in conjunction with the capital campaign, slated to begin in 2025. Those renovations will transform the building to an open floor plan reminiscent of the original design, and will create state-of-the-art studio, classroom, and gallery facilities on campus. In addition, a museum commemorating the history of the Chatham Manufacturing Company and its influence on the development of the region will be located on the premises.
