WHITESIDE WATERWORKS PHASE 1 UNDERWAY
22 August 2010 | 4:24 pm

Plumbing engineers cut ground to replace the Whiteside Theatre sewer line on Monday. The failed sewer line closed the downtown theatre in January, 2002, when The Fellowship of the Ring was the last cinema feature. In 2008, after the Whiteside Theatre Foundation acquired the movie palace, the group developed a detailed rehabilitation plan that included sewer line repair as a high priority.

"This is a great step forward for the Whiteside," said Doug Sackinger, who leads the Waterworks project for the Whiteside Theatre Foundation. "We have an outstanding team with Mike Blair, of Infrastructure Solutions Engineering, LLC, organizing the project and with local contractor Terry Hackenbruck, and Sure-Flow, Inc of Albany." The sewer is in; connections replaced; alley back-filled; and line scoped and approved by the City Building official.

Technicians with K&R Plumbing, Clackamas, replaced the failed sewer, that runs east from the Whiteside to the alley, with a pipe bursting technique for installing underground pipelines. Blair explained: "Pipe Bursting employs high-powered piercing tools with special bursting heads to smash through old service lines while pulling in new replacement lines. The technique is easy on adjacent utilities because it follows an existing pipe path." "Because pipe bursting is trenchless, there's a minimum of excavation required, reducing costs; this approach allows work in congested places without interfering with normal traffic flow," Blair continued. The work can be done without affecting interior surfaces, an important consideration for the Theatre interior.

"Waterworks Phase 1 and 2, replacing the sewer and restroom plumbing and fixtures, are critical for the overall success of the rehabilitation project," said Louise-Annette Burgess, Chair, Whiteside Theatre Foundation. "When the balance of funding is in place, the mezzanine restrooms will be repaired and repainted, and fixtures reinstalled," continued Burgess.

The Whiteside's Waterworks' Project will restore the 1922 theatre's plumbing to functioning condition supported in part by a grant from the Heritage Programs Division, State Historic Preservation Office, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department; the Oregon Cultural Trust, investing in Oregon's arts, humanities and heritage, and with generous support of private individuals.

The Whiteside Theatre Foundation is a community-based group, dedicated to revitalizing the Whiteside Theatre as a dynamic force for cultural vitality to serve Mid-Willamette Valley residents. The group envisions an economically sustainable multi-purpose entertainment venue that honors the Whiteside Theatre's role as an exceptional historic resource, while rehabilitating the structure in the most practical and environmentally sensitive manner. To donate, become a member, or to volunteer, email info@WhitesideTheatre.org.

Photo Credit: J. Harmon Aug 2010

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