The Medford (Oregon) School District says the gymnasium at North Medford High School will have to be demolished and rebuilt after the roof collapsed under the weight of a heavy snowfall.
The Rogue Valley Times reports that the weight of accumulated snow is considered a key factor in Tuesday's catastrophic collapse.
No one was injured; students were evacuated Tuesday and then spent Wednesday at home. Classes resumed Thursday, and perimeter fencing has been installed around the heavily damaged gym.
“The first step is securing the space; next is to do an assessment about what needs to be done next and then continuing to move forward from there,” said Medford Superintendent Bret Champion. “Right now, what we’re asking for is patience and grace as we work through this.”
The district has not yet determined a damage estimate.
District officials said a more than $3 million seismic retrofit over the summer at the gym likely prevented the walls from collapsing along with with the roof.
Damage to the gym was first evident on Feb. 7 after a crack appeared in a large wooden beam. Students and staff evacuated the building, and the district fenced off the gymnasium to prevent access.
At 8:41 a.m. Tuesday morning, multiple beams broke loose, triggering alarms and prompting an emergency lockdown of the high school.
The gymnasium roof caved in at about 10:47 a.m. Tuesday.
