Bleacher demolition begins gym renovation project

A tooth, Army figurine, three dollars in change, Barbie doll shoe, empty crayon box, couple of sodas — and lots of gum — were just a few of the treasures uncovered the first morning of bleacher demolition in the Holyoke High School gym Monday, Jan. 25.

A four-person team with The Big Top Seating Company started dismantling the visitor bleachers as the first demolition step of the gym renovation project.

Affectionately known as the “new gym” ever since it was built 44 years ago, the gym on the southeast corner of the high school will be new once again when renovations are complete in mid-March.

The bleacher portion of the project is expected to be finished by mid-February.

Bleacher Restoration of Colorado is the sales company for the new bleachers. The Big Top Seating Company is the subcontractor in charge of demolition and installation.

Based out of Arizona, The Big Top Seating Company is owned by Erik Lee and Amanda Fischer. They were on site with Andrae Thurman and Ben Huizar to begin bleacher demolition this week. Two more will join the workforce this weekend.

The company completes demolition and installation of bleachers and stadium seating.

Lee has been doing this type of work, off and on, for over 15 years — working for someone else until forming his own LLC a year and a half ago. Fischer, originally a heavy equipment operator by trade, has been in this line of work for a couple of years.

Lee said he was part of the remodel of the Phoenix International Raceway and also the IMAX Theatre at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.

And on a smaller scale and closer to Holyoke — they completed the Wray High School bleachers last month.

In an ironic twist of fate for a good small-world story, Lee recently conducted an annual inspection and repair of bleachers in Windsor, Connecticut.

The bleachers are similar to those in Holyoke and were made by the same company nearly 45 years ago. In fact, the serial numbers for the two sets of bleachers are very close to indicate they were made within the same time frame.

For Lee’s two projects across the country from each other to involve such similar bleacher building time frames is truly ironic.

Nuts and bolts were removed from the visitor section as the first demolition step this week. The next step is removal of the wood, followed by detaching the bleachers frame from the wall and taking it down from top to bottom.

The HHS vo-ag department is determining how much wood they might use for projects.

Beyond that, the wood bleachers will be available to community members. Principal Angie Powell said they will be rolling out a plan for that wood once they know how much they have. Those interested in knowing more may call her at the school at 970-854-2284 or email her at powellan@hcosd.org.

While the wood is being made available, there will be no access to the steel that is being removed.

Project engineering has improved over the past four decades, which will be an advantage as installation begins. The new bleachers are expected to arrive early next week.

Thurman, a friend of Lee’s, said he is a football coach at Copper Canyon High School in Arizona, and the school’s season was canceled. He reached out to Lee and became part of the company crew.

Thurman played for the NFL, specifically with the Green Bay Packers in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Huizar said he was in between jobs as a traveling worker. In an unusual effort to seek employment, he posted on his personal Facebook page, “Applying for a job.” He ultimately connected with Lee and The Big Top Seating Company.

Lee said they will possibly be looking for local short-term help with the project. Anyone interested may contact him at 623-224-5738.