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Forged in CreativityLocal students craft symbolic steel statues at Camp Hall
Throughout Camp Hall Commerce Park, thriving with the birth of several industries, the tranquil wetlands are home to a magnificent blue heron statue. Made out of steel and soaring at 12 feet tall, the statue is not only a piece of art, but also symbolizes something deeper. Just like the palmetto tree, which signifies home for South Carolinians, the blue heron represents Camp Hall Commerce Park’s powerful connection between business, nature and the community.
Camp Hall harmonizes industry and natural beauty with its commitment to environmental preservation, people-first philosophy, and support of business and the economy. Symbolic of that commitment, and in collaboration with students and teachers at Trident Technical College, the blue heron statue was created as a tangible testament to unity of nature and progress.
Blending Business with Nature
Camp Hall, sprawling across 6,800 acres, serves as a habitat for the majestic blue heron, along with more than 30 additional bird species. Within the park, more than 2,600 acres are dedicated to preserving nature, fostering wildlife habitats, and improving local ecosystems.
“The extensive trail network currently under development at Camp Hall will enable people easy access to nature for taking a break during lunch or after work for fostering a better work-life balance,” said Dan Camp, who is senior director of real estate at Camp Hall.
The Department of Health and Environmental Control of South Carolina has honored Camp Hall with the Community Star Award for exceeding environmental requirements. By integrating businesses with the natural environment, Camp Hall demonstrates a profound commitment to sustainability and the harmonious coexistence of industry and nature.
A Dynamic Partnership
Trident Technical College, recognized for its Manufacturing and Maintenance Department, among other things, played a pivotal role in the creation of the blue heron statue. With a 100% graduation rate in its welding program, Trident Tech provides skilled individuals who are passionate about their craft; so when the Camp Hall team looked for local talent to bring their artistic vision to life, the college’s faculty and students were the natural choice. This collaboration not only showcases the talent nurtured by Trident Tech but also strengthens the bond between the commerce park and the local community.
“From the beginning, Trident Tech has been the perfect partner for this project,” said Santee Cooper Economic Development and Community Relations Specialist Barry Jurs. “They are a powerhouse when it comes to technical training, and they have an incredible shop supporting welding and metal fabrication. This opportunity allowed for students to apply their craft under the creativity and skill of the Trident Tech staff promoting the type of industrial development in which they might one day be working.”
Under the guidance of Trident’s teachers and staff, the design process for the blue heron statue began. Faculty members and students from Trident Tech worked closely with Camp Hall to bring their vision to life. By involving the educational institution, Camp Hall reinforced its commitment to workforce development and showcasing the local talent emerging from Trident Tech.
Although it began with the magnificent blue heron, the team at Trident Tech also completed work on several other statues that have been installed around the Camp Hall campus. These include a biker and a hiker— both of which mark walking and biking trails and signify the importance of connecting with nature.
Crews Help Make a Concrete Impact
When it comes to the blue heron statue “landing” at Camp Hall, Santee Cooper’s Construction Services team got creative by designing the base and surveying and engineering the statue’s sturdy construction. The same was done for the biker and hiker.
Engineer Kelsey DiBiase served as the project manager and kept the project moving. From determining what materials Trident students needed to fabricate the statues to working with the team at Camp Hall to find suitable locations, DiBiase was there.
“As point person between all parties, it required a lot of coordination and collaboration from the very beginning, until the statues found their way home,” she said.
Group Supervisors of Construction Services Todd Robertson and Jim Boodle, along with their crews, made sure that the statues would remain firmly planted, emphasizing the lasting commitment of Camp Hall to environmental preservation and work-life balance.
The impressive steel waterfowl didn’t even have to take a flight to find its way to that base. Instead, a crew of several team members stood it up by hand and fixed it to a steel sheet that was drilled into the concrete. Once it was attached, the crew fastened some cables from the statue to the base to prevent it from toppling over in case of high winds. Similar processes secured the biker and runner statues.
“The base for the blue heron statue is 12 tons of concrete,” said Robertson. “It’s not going to fly away.”
The blue heron, biker and hiker statues at Camp Hall are not merely sculptures; they represent a harmonious union between industry, employees and nature. The collaboration forged with Trident Technical College students for the statues’ designs and creation showcases the area’s talent and Camp Hall’s commitment to workforce development. With their installations, the blue heron, biker and hiker statues serve as constant reminders of the park’s unwavering dedication to sustainability and the powerful results achieved when industry and community work together.
