Finalize Bermed Hut with Metal Roof

In September, 1999 the corporation received $1,000 designated toward the Bermed Hut demo and $1,000 toward the Metal Roof demo. Up until this time, the concept had been to backhoe the foundation to clear it of trash and use the existing stone foundation to support a metal roof, such as a Quonset roof, at ground level (one side of the foundation is open to the air, thus creating a bermed hut). While clearing the site of boxelder trees, Ron noted that the roots had dislodged foundation stones and the foundation was in poor shape. The President secured an estimate from Masonry Restoration of Baraboo of $8,000 to reset the stones, and $5,000 to just brace the walls with concrete. In talking to several contractors (R.L. Merlie of Spring Green, Caflish of Baraboo, Hartje Lumber of La Val, Culpitt Quonset of West Salem) it became apparent that a metal roof would cost about $5,000 all told, as the roof would have to be supported with lumber and have a span or bracing system attached to the stone foundation.

An alternative concept, suggested by Ron Darby, would be to drop a pre-cast storm shelter or septic tank into the hole. Pre-cast septic systems appeared as expensive as storm shelters, and running amok of building code standards could be a problem. Several storm shelter companies in operation in the Midwest provided estimates of pre-cast shelters, along with mileage costs. In that Canton Enterprises provides a steel trap door, the only above ground portion of the shelter, this adhears to the spirit of a specifications for a metal roof on the demo to protect from fire storms.