Mariners Hall Topping Out Ceremony Celebrates Mass Timber Structure
Opsis celebrated a major milestone for the Mariners Hall project in Astoria! Just three weeks after the timber arrived on site from StructureCraft’s fabrication shop in Canada, the Rickenbach Construction team set the final 60-foot curved glulam beam into place, marking the official topping out of the mass timber structure. The ceremony was filled with meaningful moments from signing the final beam to placing the traditional silver dollar for good luck before the final beam was hoisted into the air.
With the vessel-inspired design taking shape, the curved timber frame now hints at the vaulted exhibition space to come. The new space will celebrate the moments, stories and rich maritime history of the Columbia River through interactive displays and hands-on activities.
Columbia River Maritime Museum Curator Jeff Smith described the structure as one that “seems to breathe and flow, qualities likened to a boat in the water.” To honor the moment, the team raised a toast of whiskey in tribute to the longstanding nautical “planking out” tradition, which celebrates the placement of the final plank on a vessel.
We’re excited to be one step closer to opening this dynamic new hub for maritime education and exploration in the Pacific Northwest.
