Work on the Villaume Building 2017

Jerry I may be able to get one from a friend to use that weekend. Let me do some checking and back to you. I will also be around that weekend to help

I talked with Craig today. The jack hammer is lined up, thanks! Are Louie and Klinger on board to help move the water tank?

Later,
Jerry Christiansen

I have to work for about 2 hours on Friday and then will be heading to the hill with the jackhammer. we have it through the weekend including Monday.

I talked to Louie and Klinger at the steam up about that Klinger said he would be willing to use his truck to move it

It was a productive weekend at the Villaume building. We had a good sized crew. 4 of us took turns on the jackhammer so that made that part of the job not so bad. The concrete varied quite a bit in thickness as well as the mesh in it. Some places were 5 to 6 inches while some of it was 8 to 9 inches thick! On Saturday morning we started breaking up concrete and hauling it out. Around 11 Klinger came up with his truck and lifted up the water tank and moved it off to the side so we could work on the steel on the wall. We finished the concrete by the end of the day on Saturday. Below are some pictures. I will continue to post more pictures as we progress!


Chris helps Shane run the jackhammer. Shane was pretty excited when he got to try it and worked quite a bit with us breaking up the concrete and helping shovel and haul it out. Its very nice to see younger people so interested and not afraid of getting involved.

This is Just after the tank was set down

Casey breaking up concrete

Rene breaking up concrete

Picture of the progress from on the boiler. Casey breaking up concrete as Rene guides Brad in with the Bobcat. There was mesh in the concrete so once it was broken up with the jackhammer the pallet forks worked good to break the mesh apart.

More from on the boiler

More of Casey on the jackhammer

We had quite the spread for lunch all cooked up by Lisa Moen. Thanks Lisa for the great lunch!

Chef Lisa

Getting closer to the end of the concrete demolition!

Some more pictures below


Rene breaking up the last of the concrete

Breaking up the mesh

About 1/4 of the wall got the steel removed

The coal bunker had to also be moved to get the bobcat in to remove the concrete

Rick had the laser level set up to get the steel all straight

Getting ready to put the new steel up.

I didn't get any pictures with the new steel on but I will try to get some and post later this week.

we will be back up this coming weekend, does anyone know is the shows bobcat backhoe unit on the grounds ? we will need that on Friday June 9 or sat. morning

Looks like much progress was made! Backbreaking work!

Gary- the shows bobcat backhoe &bobcat were hauled in for service a couple weeks ago by Jim Briden.... he wouldbe the one to ask if they are back yet.

That being said tho- we received the donated mini excavator from Bobcat today in the driveway...hoping the Bobcat skidsteer will be ready early next week. We had no plans of bringing it to the showgrounds tho before steam school weekend.... BUT if the shows units arent around for use this weekend- call me at 701-866-2211 (jo) and we can see what we can do to get one of them out there for you to us.

thanks Jo ill try finding out. the bobcat skid steer was back by memorial weekend also the Villaume is getting there belt replaced this Friday morning , we are planning on getting area ready for concrete between Montana boiler and Corliss building. also maybe do some more siding on the building thanks to all who helped memorial weekend