This month’s issue of world-renown National Geographic magazine includes a one-page feature highlighting the Ocosta School District’s planned tsunami-proof elevated gym with a rooftop tsunami refuge. The refuge is a part of a new elementary school building project approved by voters last April. It is believed to be the first such school structure in the nation.
The $13.8 million bond issue will fund construction of a new two-story building and gym to replace the round elementary building. The roof of the gym will also serve as a tsunami refuge for students, staff and community.
The fortified gym with a survival deck on the roof 55-feet above sea level will be well above the projected tsunami level of 30 feet.
When the new school structure is completed in September 2015, there will be enough room for all of the district’s students, approximately 100 staff and several hundred local community members.
In addition, the district will modernize the existing elementary addition building, increase parking and modify bus, auto and pedestrian circulation.
