Overview

Elizabethtown College looked to us to identify the most appropriate course of action to ensure the successful ongoing operation of the heating plant serving the Thompson Gymnasium and Baugher Student Center (BSC), which collectively include the gymnasium space, Alumni Pool, Brossman Commons, Jay Walk (Athletic Hall of Fame), Jay Lounge, Koon’s Activity Venue, and the College Store. To that end we conducted an investigation in conjunction with the Facilities team at the College and determined that the hot water production for the Thompson Gym and BSC was in need of renewal to continue to effectively support the needs of these facilities. There was also an opportunity to increase efficiency and redundancy through the system upgrade.

We followed our initial report with conceptual design services to develop 30% documents for upgrading both the heating plant and domestic hot water plant and subsequently for the addition of cooling to Thompson Gymnasium. For each project, we developed pricing documentation for bidding, finalized permitting documentation through a Design-Assist approach with a selected mechanical contractor, and provided construction administration services through project completion.

With first cost being the primary consideration, our team reviewed equipment/system life expectancy, efficiency, redundancy, complexity, and O&M. Based on these factors, we provided recommendations for upgrading both the heating plant and domestic hot water plant. Several approaches were identified to achieve these goals and initial order of magnitude pricing was estimated. We then worked with the College to develop a scope of construction aligning with the project budget and future phase-ability.

The implemented solution included replacing the existing boiler serving the gymnasium and the pool dehumidification boiler with two new 1,500 MBH gas-fired boilers. The scope also included removal of the existing 10,000 gallon insulated domestic hot water storage tank and associated boiler and installing an array of 199 MBH, 119 Gallon gas-fired condensing water heaters.

Based on our initial report, which had calculated ranges of cooling loads including the un-conditioned gymnasium, it was determined during the course of the project that the current utilization of the space made it urgent to add air conditioning, not only for the comfort of the occupants, but also for the longevity of the infrastructure. The solution implemented to address the cooling issues included the addition of four new 25-ton packaged roof top units on the roof of the gymnasium.

Through a Design-Assist model, we provided consulting services to develop the design for bidding, worked alongside the selected contractor to develop permitting documentation, and provided construction administration services, assisting the College through the entire project from design through completion of the construction.