August 2010 – Media Advisory: Woodsboro ISD

Carol Lanham • Published • Press Release Library

WHAT: Construction crews building a new multipurpose dome building for Woodsboro Independent School District will be turning heads on Wednesday, August 25 (weather permitting) when they use giant fans to inflate a huge balloon, known as an Airform to create the shape of the building, which will double as a community disaster shelter.

The school is building a Monolithic Dome, which is a steel-reinforced concrete building known for its ability to meet Federal Emergency Management Agency’s standards for near-absolute protection from hurricanes. In fact, FEMA gave the city of Woodsboro a $1.5 million grant to fund construction of the Monolithic Dome school gymnasium/community center. Woodsboro is located near the Texas Gulf Coast and has sustained damage from Hurricane Ike and other severe storms.

WHEN: Wednesday, August 25
2 p.m., weather permitting

WHERE: 904 Locke
Woodsboro, Texas

WHO: Contact:

Derek South
Construction Supervisor
208-241-7233.

Carol Cirulli Lanham
BWG Agency
972-814-6322

WHAT ELSE: Woodsboro is one of three school districts that has recently received funding from FEMA to build a Monolithic Dome. The other two are in Fowler, Kansas and Niangua, Missouri.

The curve of the domes combined with the materials used in their construction account for the buildings’ strength. The buildings also are energy efficient, costing as much as 50 percent less to heat and cool than traditional structures of the same size.

Monolithic Domes are also considered among the greenest of all building alternatives. According to the U.S. Green Building Council, a sustainable building saves energy, water and materials; safeguards the surrounding area; assures the safety and health of their occupants; and is low maintenance.

Once the Airform has been inflated to create the shape of the dome, crews can then move into the interior, where they will spray polyurethane foam on the Airform and reinforce it with a grid of steel rebar. They then will spray the dome with two or three inches of Shotcrete. The result will be a safe, permanent and energy efficient structure designed to last for centuries.

For more information, visit www.monolithic.com

###