Tri-Hurst Construction: Building San Juan County

  

Aerial view of USU Library

    Tri-Hurst Construction has always been a family-oriented company.  Many of the Tri-Hurst Navajo employees include multi-generational skilled workers.  Robert James started working for Hurst Construction 22 years ago as a laborer, then he advanced to carpenter and now his son works with him.  “There are five father-son employees in the company. Our Navajo employees are "fabulous craftsmen, concrete workers and welders," he emphasized.  “Our field crew is 90% Native American. It's always been a part of our company culture,"  stated Joe Hurst.

Where plans, specs and contracts are organized:
Joe Hurst computer guru, boss and family man 

     Over the span of approximately 20 years, Tri-Hurst built the USU campus in Blanding as we know it today.  This includes the Library, Administration Building, Arts and Events Center, The Quad, dormitories and most recently they completed a large built-to-last hogan. USU held a blessing way cremony and celebration Nov. 30, 2021. Kris Olsen, associate VP for USU Blanding, stated, " It will be utilized by our students as a place to practice traditional ceremonies, a place of meditation and a place of study." 

Finished entryway to the USU hogan

      The hogan built by Tri-Hurst won a "best of year” construction in the worship category this past year.  "This was one of the highlights of my career," stated Hurst.  He credits Benedict and Rena Daniels for their direction and insight for the project.  The hogan is used regularly at USU for teaching Navajo customs, leadership training and club meetings. 

  Blanding USU students Hunter Warren and Rianna James
with Student Involvement Coordinator, Shilo Martinez and
Administrator, Kristian Olsen receiving Hogan Award 

Monument Valley Clinic

Two years ago, Tri-Hurst  built an addition to the Monument Valley Clinic, then they constructed the Bluff Elementary, (shown below) which took 1 1/2 years to build.  It was completed in 2020, but sat empty for nearly a year because of Covid.  

Bluff Elementary School

Often Tri-Hurst work crews are working in different locations, with multiple projects going on at the same time: some are pouring cement, others installing electric systems and some doing actual construction.  One of the results of having well trained employees is that company projects have often received recognition from various state organizations.  Tri-Hurst completed the Monument Valley Elementary School, Tse'Bii"Nidzisgae, in 2012 and it was awarded "Best in State" new school. 

Monument Valley Elementary School

   In 2023 Tri-Hurst completed a 1 ½ year-long project for ULUM, building an upscale “glamping” facility near Looking Glass Rock. It not only includes camping sites, but a pool, three gas fireplaces and full service restaurant. The new tourist attraction will be featured in the Sunset Magazine this May.   

   With such an excellent track record of quality and efficiency, Tri-Hurst continues to help build San Juan County.  One of their new projects will be retrofitting the Blanding Wellness Center.  This will include updating the fire suppression system and restroom shower facilities so they meet state fire and health codes. Construction is anticipated to begin after the swim season this year.

  Even with all the stress of meeting deadlines and doing quality construction, it's NOT just "all work and no play" for the Tri-Hurst team.  In this company workers and supervisors are like family, so picnics and meals together occur often. Good humor and laughter are common at socials, in the office and at jobsites.  Stressful situations are often diffused with a lighter view. Owners, supervisors and craftsmen are all very much involved in each other's lives. 

One reoccurring company tradition is the "Saw Dust Bowl" where meals are shared and team morale is strengthened because everyone knows each other on a personal level. Joe explained, "We have a diverse workforce with different talents and abilities.  Using the strengths of each, enables us to take on a broad spectrum of construction projects.”

1989 Under Stan Hurst's guidance, San Juan Building Supply began

2005 As both businesses flourished, they began operating independently. Projects Completed in past decades by Tri-Hurst Construction

          

Bluff Fort 2013

                         Montella's Repair Blanding 

Monticello Temple looking east

Monticello Visitors Center

Old Timers -- Blanding 

Lisbon Valley Mine Warehouse

Arts and Events Center on USU Campus

                   Building projects Completed By Tri-Hurst

Schools

• Preschools in Monument Valley, Todahadakani, Cudei

• Bluff Elementary addition (old)

• Blanding Elementary addition and remodel

• ARL addition and remodel- 4X

• Monument Valley Elementary

• Bluff Elementary

• Montezuma Creek Gymnasium

• Monticello Elementary

• Monticello High Addition

• Monticello High Music Room

• Remodels of every school in SJSD

• Monticello High School Shop

• Navajo Mountain Boarding School

• Kayenta Boarding School Gymnasium

• USU Quad

• USU Administration Building

• San Juan High Fire Rebuild

• USU hogan

• USU Library Health Sciences 

• Whitehorse High Shop addition

Medical facilities

• Gouldings hospital and clinic.  Addition and Remodel

• Montezuma Creek Clinic addition and remodel

• Monticello Clinic and hospital remodel

• San Juan Health Combined Health Services Building-Blanding

• Monument Valley Clinic 

• Monument Valley Clinic Addition and Remodel

• Blue Mountain Hospital

• Blanding Birthing Center

Detention

• Canyonlands Youth Center

• Montezuma Creek Jail- a remodel of the old elementary school.  Was not used long before being abandoned.

Churches

• Montezuma Creek Chapel

• Shiprock Chapel

• South Chapel Remodel 4X

• Blanding Seminary Building

• Bluff Chapel Addition

• Monticello Temple (3)

• Bluff Fort Log Meeting House

Senior Centers

• La Sal Senior Center

• Blanding Senior Center

• Shiprock Senior Center

• Coyote Canyon Senior Center

• Pine Hill Senior center

• Bluff Senior Center Addition

Concrete Water Tank

• Blanding Water Tank

• Monument Valley- SJSD water tank

• Bluff City Water Tank

• UNHS water tank- Montezuma Creek

Salt Storage Shed

• UDOT  Bluff

• UDOT Blanding

• SJC Blanding

• SJC Monticello

Sander Racks

• UDOT Shed Bluff

• UDOT Shed Blanding

Grocery Store

• Parley Redd Food Town.  Now Clarks Market

• Nielson’s Food King.  Now Canyon Country

• Mussi Service- Montezuma creek

Maintenance Sheds

• Montella’s Repair

• Utah National Guard Maintenance Building

• Al Lund shop- Long Canyon

• Crowley Construction Shop

• Lyle Northern Electric Warehouse

Fire Stations

• Blanding (2)

• Bluff (2)

• Mexican Hat

• Monument Valley

• Montezuma Creek

• SJC Wildland Fire Station- Monticello

Stores/Warehouses

• San Juan Building Supply (3)

• Monticello Cemetery

• Parley Redd True Value addition

• Southway Convenience Store

• Shirttail Convenience Store

• Blue Mountain Meats

• Oljato Chapter Warehouse

• Mexican Water Chapter Warehouse

• Teec Nos Pos Chapter Warehouse

• Montella Repair Shop

• Hideout Golf Course Shop

• Alco Store

• Happy Jack Warehouse (2)

• Cedar Mesa Pottery

• Cedar Mesa Ice House

• Frito Lay Warehouse

• Gouldings Warehouse

• SJSD Buildings and Grounds Warehouse

• Parley Redd Food Town Warehouse

Hotels/Restaurants

• Hotel for Rex Nielson- Kanab

• Comfort Inn foundation-Blanding

• Old Timer Restaurant- foundation Blanding 

• The View Restaurant foundation- Monument Valley

• Juniperus Restaurant, aka, San Juan River Kitchen

Laundry Mats

• Bluff Cottonwood Wash and Dry

Houses/Apartments

• 10 relocated mine houses from Carbon County

• Gordon Adams 385 S. 100 W.

• Robert Jones 157 S. 200 E.

• Elmer Hurst 561 W. 100 S.

• Dr. and Beppy Gibbons 700 W. 100 S.

• Al Marks 515 S. 100 E.

• Grant Bayles 240 S. 200 E.

• 4-Plex Rental 440 S. 300 W.

• Jane and Larry Thompson 580 S. 300 W.

• Rex Johnson- Eastland

• Spec house at 210 S. 200 E. 

• Jay and Carla Lyman 72 S. 100W.

• Lewis and Donna Singer 212 E. Singer Lane

• Gouldings house

• Gouldings 4-plex

• Steve and Marsha Keele 141 W. 500 N.

• Kris and Kathryn Hiatt- Meadowlark Subdivision

• Rick and Andrea Twitchell- Meadowlark Subdivision

• Aspen Cove Apartments- Moab

• John and Cathryn Cook- Bluff

• Happy Jack Hogan on a Stick

• Carl Hunt cabin- Blue Mountain Ranch

• Corine Roring Apartments- Bluff

• 20 Unit subdivision for NHA in Aneth

• Dr. and Mrs. Vitale cabin- Blue Mountain Ranch

• Lyle Heinz 464 West 400 North

• Jay and LaRue McDaniels 462 South 200 West

• Reed Hurst 144 West 500 South

Offices

• San Juan Counseling

• Nations of the Four Corners (2)

• Dolores County Social Services Building

• Human Services Office- Monticello

Visitors Centers

• Old Grayson Visitors Center

• The Nature Conservancy-Canyonlands

• Edge of the Cedars Museum

• Hans Flat Ranger Station

• Monticello Visitors Center

• Dinosaur Museum Addition

• Blanding Veterans Memorial

Entertainment/Recreation

• Blanding Arts and Events Center

• Monticello Park Pavilion

• Old Spanish Trail Ballparks

• Blue Mountain Ranch Pavilion (2)

• Blue Mountain Ranch Water Improvement System

• San Juan High Track Improvements

• Whitehorse High Bleachers

• Monticello High Bleachers

• SJC Rodeo Grounds Bleachers

• Grand County High Concessions Building

• Camp Sticky Pavilion  (2)

• Bluff Fort Visitor Center Kumen Jones Pavilion

• Blanding Stake Center Pavilion

• Montezuma Creek Pool Building

• Monticello Swimming Facility

Airport Hangars

• Eagle Air Med Hangar

• Monticello Airport Hangar

Communications Tower Bases

• Blanding

• Abajo Peak

• Hite Marina

• Hite Relay

• Upper Deer Flats

• Muley Point (3)

• Horsehead Tower

• Needles Tower

• Clay Hills Relay

• USU Relay- Monument Valley

• Aneth Relay

• Red Mesa Relay

• Cold Springs Tower

Elevators

• Edge of the Cedars Museum

• South Chapel

• San Juan School District Office

• San Juan County Admin Building

• Bluff Fort Visitor Center

• The Quad

• USU Library Health Sciences

• San Juan Health Clinic- Monticello

Banks/Credit Unions

• Desert Rivers Credit Union Main and Center

Barber Shops

• Bill Foy Barber Shop  85 S. Main

Tourist Comfort

• Comfort Station- Bullfrog

• Comfort Station- Halls Crossing

• Restrooms- Marysville Bike Path

• Blue Mountain Guest Ranch Restrooms

• Navajo Nation Fairgrounds Restrooms