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West Hall Gets Needed Makeover

 Written By: Jessica Cooke

After being under construction since spring 2014, West Hall is showing signs of further progression due to the efforts of architects to meet the scheduled completion date.

Construction began as a result of issues with the air conditioning equipment.

According to Raymond Sable, director of Physical Plant and Facilities Planning, West Hall’s renovations in 1985 consisted of an air conditioning plan that did not consider the heat generated from video projectors or computers in the offices and computer labs today.

“The air conditioning equipment in the building is almost 30 years old and is nearing the end of its life cycle,” said Sable.

The replacement of the air conditioning system is broken down into three phases.

Phase I is the complete replacement of the system with an updated, more resourceful energy system in the classroom wing. This phase will result in an upgrade in the digital controls for this particular wing, landing the budget for Phase I at $916,403.00.

Phases II and III involve replacing the air conditioning system for the north and south administration wings, totaling $2.5 million for all three phases.

Although most of the interior work was finished over the summer, the remainder of this project still requires a few major adjustments.

“The remaining items left are the construction of a wall around the new transformer, removal of the old air handler, completion of some final connections, completion of the ceilings, and a test and balance of the system,” said Sable.

The contract, however, required West Hall to be available for the first day of classes with the project not 100 percent done, but completed enough to teach.

Students and faculty so far have only had minor problems, along with a few classrooms being too cold and others too warm. The contractor continues to correct these issues.

The remaining construction is to be completed on weekends and is scheduled for overall completion in October.

 

 

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