## 🦅 Site Update: Pavilion Roof Condition & Northwest Tree Maintenance

Hey everyone,

As Site Coordinator, I wanted to give the club an update on some recent maintenance at the Northwest corner of the shade pavilion and explain how a routine safety trim may have helped save our roof from a major blowout during the recent 50 mph wind storm.

I know some folks have expressed concern about the final height of the tree trim and preferred to keep it larger for shade. However, keeping this specific canopy low and level with the roofline is a strict operational requirement for pilot safety due to its location right next to the LZ [Crestline Soaring Society]. Overgrown trees act as solid obstructions, creating low-level “rotors” and turbulent air that put pilots on short final at risk of sudden canopy collapses. Keeping it trim ensures smooth airflow over the structure, gives approaching pilots unobstructed sightlines to the wind socks and spectators, and stops whipping branches from damaging the pavilion eaves.

This exact maintenance work is why the pavilion still has a roof today. Because I was working right at the roofline doing the trim, I caught a major problem the very next day when the high winds hit. The 50 mph gusts started getting under the metal flashing on both the North and East sides, creating a “parachute effect” that caused the main roofing sheets to bubble and ripple.

To give you an idea of how severe the lift was, the wind was physically causing the separating roof to lift, and I could feel it slightly lifting my entire body weight up with the roof shingle structure while I was doing the temporary repair. I was able to put down a temporary 35-foot duct tape seal along the North edge to choke off the air intake and stabilize the structure. If the tree had been left overgrown and large, it would have completely blocked the view, and the entire roof likely would have taken flight before anyone noticed a problem.

Upon closer inspection, there is some minor moisture intrusion showing on the plywood decking underneath the roofing material [Crestline Soaring Society]. Fortunately, the actual wood rot is minimal and the plywood decking should be fully salvageable. However, because wind and water are penetrating from multiple directions, a quick DIY patch won’t cut it.

The duct tape is just a temporary band-aid to protect the asset while we figure out the permanent fix. To ensure we handle this right, my next step as Site Coordinator is to ask the Board to approve a formal assessment from either a professional roofing contractor or a qualified CSS member with professional roofing expertise [Crestline Soaring Society].

We want to make sure the permanent repair completely eliminates the wind vulnerability so the pavilion remains safe for everyone. I’ll keep the membership posted as we get the roof inspected and move toward a permanent fix!

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Brian