North Medford High Gym Collapse Prompts Temporary Campus Closure

North High Gym Collapse — *Drone Photos Courtesy of Medford School District.*

North Medford School Canceled — *Drone Photos Courtesy of Medford School District.*

This is the latest on Medford Alert’s ongoing coverage of this incident. Here are the previous articles regarding this story: 2/11/25 and 2/8/25

Medford, Oregon- The roof of the North Medford High School gym collapsed today due to the significant weight of heavy snow accumulated from a recent storm. No injuries were reported.

As a precaution, North Medford High School will remain closed on February 12 while structural experts, in coordination with city officials and emergency responders, assess the site and determine next steps. All other schools in the Medford School District will remain open, as inspections have confirmed that no other large-span buildings show signs of structural damage.

Incident Timeline

Courtesy of the Medford School District

On Friday, a crack was discovered in one of the trusses of the North gym. In response, the gym was immediately evacuated and secured. Medford Fire, city officials, and engineering crews worked to reduce the snow load on the roof, and athletic activities were relocated to other facilities.

This morning, multiple beams in the gym broke under the weight of the accumulated snow, prompting an emergency response. Students were placed in lockdown as a precaution, but there was no immediate threat. The lockdown was lifted shortly after.

At 10:47 a.m., the roof collapsed. Emergency services responded immediately, and the gym was isolated from the rest of the campus. Due to the cafeteria’s closure, students were released early, with bus riders and those waiting for pickup directed to the auditorium.

Cause of the Collapse

Engineers estimate that approximately 700,000 pounds of snow accumulated on the gym roof, far exceeding typical structural expectations. The extreme weight led to the failure of the trusses, ultimately resulting in the collapse.

Seismic Upgrades and Structural Integrity

Recent seismic upgrades to the gym included lighter roofing materials, the removal of a cell tower, and reinforcement of the roofing diaphragm. While the upgrades did not cause the collapse, they likely helped the structure withstand the snow load for as long as it did. The reinforced walls remained standing, minimizing the extent of the damage.

There is no indication of an engineering failure in the original construction of the gym, which had remained structurally sound for 60 years. A full engineering review will be conducted once the site is stabilized.

Preventative Measures Taken

In the days leading up to the collapse, efforts were made to reduce the snow load, including:

• Deploying a shoring team to reinforce the structure.

• Shoveling snow from the roof.

• Using ice melt and heat tape cords.

• Working with Medford Fire to spray ice and snow off the roof using lifts.

• Pumping melted water to prevent pooling.

Despite these efforts, the hazardous conditions and the unprecedented weight of the snow ultimately led to the collapse.

District-Wide Safety Assessments

The Medford School District has confirmed that all other large-span buildings have been inspected and are safe for continued use. There are no signs of structural damage at any other school.

Community Response

Superintendent Bret Champion expressed gratitude for the swift response from emergency personnel, district staff, and city officials.

“Our priority is always the safety of our students and staff,” the district stated. “We are incredibly grateful to all who responded with care and professionalism today.”

Officials will continue to assess the damage and determine next steps in the coming days.