In 2013, Sachse Construction was hired to remodel Camp Tamarack in Ortonville, Michigan. The scope included the remodeling of eight DeRoy Village cabins, the renovation of the lodge in Berman Village, and the complete demolition and rebuilding of an outdoor amphitheater.

First, the team remodeled eight cabins in DeRoy Village, totaling over 5,000 square feet of renovations. The renovation included new windows, doors, flooring, paint, and furniture. The team realized the outdoor bench design did not match that of the neighboring Sheruth Village. Upon bringing the concern to the client’s attention, the client agreed to move forward with a uniform design across the two locations.

The scope of work also called for new HVAC exhaust fans at 3,000 CFM in each of the cabins. The Sachse Construction team’s extensive experience helped guide the client to cut the CFMs in half to fit the small spaces better. Not only did this result in cost savings for the client as well as energy efficiency in the long run, but it also made for a more comfortable environment for the campers as the new systems were much quieter than anticipated.

Later, the Sachse Construction team tackled renovations to the lodge at Berman Village, totaling 4,809 square feet of tenant improvements. Since Berman Village is located at the highest point of the campground, the team found it difficult to move materials up to the site in harsh winter climates. By remaining in close communication with the owners each day, the team ensured a path to the site was plowed and sanded, keeping the project on schedule.

The other challenge was the raised platform for the cabins, as they were originally built on a slab. Because of the new elevations, the project team suggested adding additional insulation beneath each cabin to keep animals out and improve efficiency during heating and cooling.

The amphitheater renovation was the third major initiative at Camp Tamarack and was funded by a $1,000,000 foundation grant. This final project completely overhauled the old, worn-out facility, originally designed by Louis Redstone in 1958. The renovated facility features a covered, open-air seating area for 1,000 people, with backstage dressing rooms, storage, and restrooms. The existing stage floor and roof structure were carefully cleaned and preserved. The stage roof, an intricate Lamella wood structure similar to a geodesic dome, with a beautiful patina copper roof, remained fully intact. The final result includes complete state-of-the-art sound and light technology systems, as well as a projection screen for summer movie nights for the campers and staff.