La Feria News

Construction on Pancho Maples Dome Shelter Continues

The inflation of the airform – a fabric balloon – that will help form the roof for the dome shelter at 1001 Pancho Maples. Attached to the foundation and base structure, it was inflated on Wednesday, February 18th at 1:30 p.m.

Polyurethane foam will be applied to the airform as a base, and steel reinforcement attached to hold its structure. Finally, a strong spray-on concrete will be applied to the dome’s surfaces.

Funding for two dome shelters was originally awarded to the City of La Feria in September 2012 by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the Texas Department of Emergency Management, a division of the Texas Department of Public Safety. The groundbreaking for this multi-million dollar project was held in August of last year.

The Pancho Maples dome is projected to house 600 people during a storm and will function as a wellness center to compliment the recreational center next door to it when not in emergency use. The second shelter at 1700 S. Main Street will accommodate an additional 850 people and will serve as a technology center

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