Consulting Report on Sedona’s Frontier Performing Arts Pavilion

A recently released consulting report on Sedona’s Frontier Performing Arts Pavilion indicates that the majority of the structure is in good shape and can be restored.

The inspection, carried out by Flagstaff Core Structure Group on February 19, was submitted to the city in March. It’s important to note that the inspection focused exclusively on visual assessments, avoiding any excavation or invasive techniques.

The report highlights that deterioration of the Glulam beam necessitates structural repairs to regain capabilities affected by weather exposure. It mentions that the weathering has influenced the top two layers of several beam stacks.

Glulam is a manufactured wood product created by stacking multiple layers of small wood pieces under pressure, bonded with adhesive to form large wooden structures.

However, the report reassures that the noted issues aren’t significant enough to call for a complete replacement of the affected members, nor do they hinder the potential for reusing parts of the new structure.

Additionally, the consultant pointed out a few missing bolts and noted partial degradation of the spray foam waterproofing on the roof, which led to some rot in the deck area.

On a positive note, the midspan bolted splice and the bolted hinge connections at the Arch Apex were reported to be in good condition. However, it specifies that the stage wood floor needs to be entirely removed and replaced, as existing degraded plywood cannot be effectively repaired. The steel components were found to be in good condition, with no notable rust detected on the framing, connection plates, or bolts of the canopy steel.

The conclusion of the report stated, “Based on our visual inspection, the structure of the amphitheater is not at risk of imminent collapse.” It does recommend conducting annual inspections if repairs are not undertaken within the next year.

Architects Dan Jensvold and Steve Thompson, along with builder Western Wood, informed the city in March 2023 that the pavilion has maintained its decades-long lifespan, though the stage floor and roof require replacement.