Media Relations:
Laurie Gaynor
R.F. Stearns
503-723-5972
laurie@rfstearns.com

STEARNS DESIGN-ASSIST SERVICES HIT THE MARK FOR THREE RIVERS CASINO

Florence, Oregon, January 23, 2008 – Design·Build·Steel contractor R.F. Stearns, Inc. is pleased to announce the recent completion of a 100,000 square-foot casino for the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua & Siuslaw Indians, located in the picturesque coastal sand dunes in Florence, Oregon.  The new facility replaces a tent structure, quadruples the gaming floor plan and provides state-of-the-art recreation and amenities. Three Rivers Casino is considered one of the largest employers in the Florence area, staffing approximately 450 employees.

At the recommendation of JE Dunn Construction Company, Stearns was awarded the much talked about project to assist the engineer-of-record and design and construction teams by managing all aspects of the structural steel process, from providing detailing services and drawings for fabrication and construction, to procuring all structural steel materials and administering an aggressive steel construction schedule.  One of the unique challenges of the project was the use of heavy equipment to erect the structural steel on a field of fine blown sand. Stearns devised a series of portable stabilizing mats made from heavy, recycled conveyer belts on which forklifts, cranes and man-lifts traveled to avoid immobilization.  This creative solution allowed Stearns’ construction team to assemble the structural steel frame in only 6 weeks.  Appreciating Stearns contributions to the project Butch Fiedler, Project Manager, JE Dunn Construction Company affirms; “R.F. Stearns did an exceptional job under very tight time constraints on the Three Rivers Casino project. Their team was always available to step in and lend a helping hand no matter what the predicament may have been. I really enjoyed working with Stearns.”

Another significant aspect of the project is the wood clad porte cochere at the casino entrance. It was designed with apex moment frame beam roofs at each end, and an awning-style canopy between them that followed 45 degree splay walls. The porte cochere required close coordination of miscellaneous custom plates for attaching wooden faux beams to the main steel structure creating the illusion of hips and valleys within the wooden roof. In the Special Events area, two trusses, 90-feet in length, made from tube and wide flange were shipped in halves to facilitate logistics and spliced together at installation. In the Gaming area, long steel joists were field spliced to create huge open spaces. Fred Clingman, Project Manager, R.F. Stearns, Inc., stated; “It was a pleasure to work with JE Dunn and the entire construction team. All parties worked to develop a spirit of cooperation that led to an enhanced professional appreciation.”

The efforts of the entire construction team worked in close collaboration to successfully complete the steel-framed casino structure on time and within budget.

About Stearns

R.F. Stearns is recognized as a pioneer of the design/build process for steel construction, and with over twenty-five years of experience, remains an industry-leading expert. Stearns professional teams of engineers, designers, detailers and project managers provide comprehensive accountability for every facet of steel construction, including conceptual design, estimating, structural detailing, fabrication and steel erection.

In addition to providing complete Division 5 services for steel construction, Stearns is the exclusive provider of innovative, long-span SmartBeam® technology and light-gauge steel framing systems throughout the Western United States. 

To learn more about R.F. Stearns’ design/build capabilities, SmartBeam® or light-gauge steel framing applications, we extend an invitation to contact us at our West Linn, OR headquarters, 503-723-5959, or visit our website at www.rfstearns.com