Overview
In November 2023, Lafayette College was selected as one of four college/university campuses to host the 2024 U.S. Presidential general election campaign debates. Lafayette was contracted by the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) to host the debate between the Vice-Presidential candidates on September 25, 2024. We were selected to provide Design-Assist Professional Engineering services for the HVAC Upgrades to Lafayette’s Kirby Sports Center Field House where the event was scheduled to take place. Using a Design-Assist project model, we were contracted directly to Lafayette to provide 30% design documents for the renovations. Lafayette then selected and directly contracted with a Contractor to work alongside us to complete the permit documents. This arrangement allowed for both Engineer and Contractor input during the final stages of the design process and maintained Owner engagement in all decisions along the way to minimize the likelihood of change orders during construction.
Solution Details
highlights
- Custom fabricated double-wall ductwork was field painted to match the existing “white-out” ceiling and blend into the background.
- Existing equipment mezzanines, which are difficult to access, were retained for rare maintenance needs of steam coils, while the new RTUs were located on the roof for improved maintenance access.
- The new RTUs are now easily maintained with roof-top access. The weighted-base railing installed for construction remained in place to provide a safer working condition for all roof top maintenance activities in the area.
- The existing solar panel array was modified to provide suitable clearances around new RTUs.
The planned use of the facility as a venue for the debate meant meeting the requirements of the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) for ensuring consistency of standards across all debate locations. Entech helped Lafayette design modifications to their HVAC systems to meet the Commission’s requirements including maintaining a consistent on-stage temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the debate with a full occupancy load in a high occupancy space on a potentially warm September day.
To accomplish this, our design included replacing the existing field house ductwork with high quality custom double-wall ductwork, with provisions for removable branches to serve the stage area. Controls for the field house were upgraded and integrated into the campus wide building automation system and the electrical distribution system was upgraded to provide additional power from the campus 5kV loop as required for cooling loads.
Unfortunately, the CPD announced just three months prior to the event that the Democratic ticket would not agree to participate under the sponsorship of the Commission and the scheduled events at all four debate locations were canceled.
However, due to proactive planning by Lafayette and the design team, the system was designed for a multitude of alternative usage scenarios including summer camps, early fall sporting events, basketball games, and indoor graduation. Despite the disappointment of missing out on the excitement of hosting an election debate, Lafayette now has a fully air-conditioned large occupancy venue to support their campus activities.
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