Project Details:
After more than 25 years since their last bond program, and on the heels of a recent defeat in 2014, Weld RE-1 overwhelming passed a $62M bond in November 2016. DCS was selected as Owner’s Representative and immediately began to assimilate the Master Plan, board approvals and ballot language to ensure every commitment of the campaign was identified and included in the proposed Scope of Work. Working closely with district leaders and the project architect, DCS created detailed project budgets and timelines that became the backbone of the implementation plan for the Bond Program. This Program included major renovations and additions at seven of the district’s facilities all of which required construction in occupied facilities and phased completions.
Major elements of the Scope of Work included:
- Hazardous materials identification and phased mitigation/abatement at 6 facilities;
- Building additions at Gilcrest Elementary School & North Valley Middle School;
- Demolition of a legacy school building to support an addition;
- Playground, paving/parking lot and drainage upgrades at all locations;
- District stadium upgrades:
- Replacement of running track and accessory venues,
- New synthetic turf field,
- New public-address system,
- New scoreboard,
- Procurement and management of district-wide FF&E replacement;
- Complete renovations and upgrades at all 6 schools including:
- HVAC systems and controls upgrades;
- Plumbing fixture upgrades;
- Addition of fire sprinklers;
- Lighting and electrical service upgrades;
- Fire Alarm replacement;
- Voice & data network and A/V upgrades;
- Window Replacement;
- Roof Replacement;
- New floor coverings, paint, ceilings, and casework;
- Accessibility upgrades;
- Water, sewer, transformer and gas service upgrades.
As Program Manager, DCS recommended the CM/GC delivery method and implementation strategy that created 4 CM/GC work packages: District Stadium, La Salle, Gilcrest & Platteville. Four separate firms were selected based on the specific, and somewhat unique requirements, of each package. DCS organized consultants, vendors, and service providers to support the strategies for each project including the industrial hygienist, commissioning agent, abatement contractors, movers, geotechnical engineer, surveyors, 3rd party inspections and materials testing consultant and FF&E vendor.
This Program was unique in that DCS managed 4 different project teams across 7 facilities within 3 different communities. Each community having differing municipal water and sewer infrastructures required detailed dialogue with the design teams and municipal leaders to coordinate desired outcomes. DCS also brought leadership to the design process and assisted the district in developing material and equipment standards to streamline facility management and operations after the projects’ completion. DCS’ management of the program budget at a detailed project level, as well as, overall district level allowed for funds to be tracked and used where most appropriate at any given time. DCS was able to help the district realize approximately $1.3M in savings though the use of alternates during the CM/GC pricing and contracting process, detailed review of contractor/consultant pay applications and method of award for economy of scale with various consultants. This savings is now being utilized to commence in additional projects the district did not originally budget for including a Concessions Building and Plaza at the athletic complex and new Greenhouse at Valley High School.
