WLPS Marching Band Observation Deck

The Whitmore Lake High School Marching Band is building an observation deck beside the marching band practice field. Schools frequently have observation towers, scaffolding or decks at their marching band practice field to give the band director a better view of formations, closer to the perspective that will be seen by the audience.

These students are part of a rather small public school, and love marching band, thanks in large part to their previous director (who announced an unexpected retirement this past spring, and who used a ladder during rehearsals at school in order to see the formations). On top of discovering that they were losing their director, they learned that they would also no longer be going away to band camp as they had for several years. The camp that they used for band camp for the past several years had closed, and though a replacement location had been found, the administration wanted a fresh start, and directed that this year's band camp would take place on school grounds, rather than going away.

In a situation like this, it might be expected that a large number of students would leave the program, but these students chose to support each other and the program, staying in marching band even though there were a lot of changes.  They love to make music together, they love to make music for the community, and they want to keep growing as musicians and marchers.

We (band parents, band students and other volunteers) will be putting in the sweat equity to build the observation deck. We are asking parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, alumni, teachers, neighbors and friends to sponsor the purchase of the materials needed to build the observation deck.  

When does work on the deck start?

The plan came on suddenly when the idea was mentioned in idle conversation at the end of April…..and some parents jumped in and offered to build it. The area was blocked off this week, and the next step is to remove the sod so that we can put in the slab before building the structure, which we plan to have finished before band camp begins the first full week of August.

What does it mean to sponsor observation deck materials?

It means you are putting money in the band’s booster account to purchase the materials needed for the slab, platform, stairs and railings of the observation deck. The total cost to purchase all of these items is approximately $2200.  

How else can I help?

We are also planning to purchase a drum major podium (a basic ladder, has again been the standard) and update the color guard uniform tops. When you make a general donation to the Band Boosters, your money helps us to pay for items like this, as well as for sheet music and instrument maintenance to keep our school instruments in shape for those students whose parents need assistance with the costs associated with participating in band.

When would we like you to donate?

NOW!! We need to purchase materials, especially cement, as soon as possible to be ready in time for Marching Band Camp. We want this transition year to be as smooth as possible for all of the students, and to keep the excitement high for band to keep growing the band program each year. Our kids work very hard and they want to put on the best show possible for their fans in the community.

What if I don't have a lot of money?

You choose how much you would like to donate. If you would like to fully sponsor the deck, that's not expected, but awesome! Donate what you can, you can find a list of needed materials and quantities (we priced everything at Home Depot, the store closest to where our project planner lives) at the bottom of the page.

Depending on which size is purchased, a pack of the structural-connector screws cost between $12 and $14, each 6x6 post base bracket is $20. 18-gauge galvanized hurricane ties are $0.65 each, and we need 22 of them. Quickrete is around $4 a bag, and we need 51 bags of it. Be a Concrete Champion and buy all our concrete mix...your choice! No matter how much you donate, you are our champion! We appreciate each and every donation. Thank you in advance for your contribution to our program!


Observation Deck Materials list

Quantity   Description

6                     5/4"x6"x8FT Premium Pressure-Treated Cedar-Tone Lumber (WeatherShield)

8                     5/4"x6"x10FT Premium Pressure-Treated Cedar-Tone Lumber (WeatherShield)

7                     5/4"X6"x12FT Premium Pressure-Treated Cedar-Tone Lumber (WeatherShield)

6                     4"x4"x8FT #2 Ground Contact SYP Cedar-Tone Pressure-Treated Timber

8                     6"x6"x8FT #2 Ground Contact Cedar-Tone Pressure-Treated Timber

55                  2"x2"x8FT #1 Cedar-Tone Pressure-Treated Lumber (WeatherShield)

5                     1"x6"x8FT Pressure-Treated Cedar-Tone Board (WeatherShield)

4                     1"x6"x12FT Pressure-Treated Cedar-Tone Board (WeatherShield)

1                     2"x10"x10FT #2 Prime Cedar-Tone Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Lumber

5                     2"x10"x12FT #2 Prime Cedar-Tone Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Lumber

1                     2"x10"x16FT #2 Prime Cedar-Tone Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Lumber

3                     2"x12"x8FT #2 Prime Cedar-Tone Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Lumber

2                     2"x12"x12FT #2 Prime Cedar-Tone Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Lumber

4                     2"x12"x16FT #2 Prime Cedar-Tone Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Lumber

5                     2"x4"x8FT #2 Prime Cedar-Tone Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Lumber (WeatherShield)

12                  2"x4"x10FT #2 Prime Cedar-Tone Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Lumber (WeatherShield)

22                 (Simpson Strong-Tie) Z-MAX 18-Gauge Galvanized Hurricane Tie (H2.5AZ)

8                     (Grip-Rite) 1/2"x6" Hot-Galvanized Anchor Bolt

5 BX              (Simpson Strong-Tie) 1/4"x3" Steel Hex Washer Head Wood Screws (50-Pack)

1 BX              (FastenMaster) 4" TimberLok Coarse Steel Hex-Head Heavy-Duty Wood Screws (50-Pack)

2 BX              (FastenMaster) 6" TimberLok Coarse Steel Hex-Head Heavy-Duty Wood Screw (50-Pack)

51                   (Quickrete) 80 LB Concrete Mix

5 BX              (Grip-Rite) #8 x 3-1/2" 16-Penny Hot-Galvanized Steel Common Nails (1 lb.-Pack)

16                  (Simpson Strong-Tie) LPC ZMAX Galvanized Adjustable Post Cap for 6x

8                     (Sakrete) 12"x48" Tube for Concrete

2 BX              (Grip-Rite) #10 x 3-1/2" 16-Penny Galvanized Steel Box Nails (1 lb.-Pack)

4                     (Simpson Strong-Tie) Z-MAX 2"x4" 12-Gauge Galvanized Medium L-Angle

3                     (Simpson Strong-Tie) #9 x 1-1/2" External Hex Flange Hex-Head Structural-Connector Screw (100-Pack)

1                     (Simpson Strong-Tie) #10 x 1-1/2" External Hex Flange Hex-Head Structural-Connector Screw (100-Pack)

8                     Special Order 6x6 Post Base Bracket

1 BX              Special Order: GALVANIZED SCREW, TAN, 2 1/2IN, 5LB