{"id":156018,"date":"2023-08-09T13:41:01","date_gmt":"2023-08-09T17:41:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/?p=156018"},"modified":"2023-09-01T12:45:48","modified_gmt":"2023-09-01T16:45:48","slug":"campus-construction-update-aug-10-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/2023\/08\/09\/campus-construction-update-aug-10-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Campus Construction Update: Aug. 10, 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

One of the destructive torrential rains that have characterized this summer in New England hit Lewiston and Auburn on July 25.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Across the Twin Cities, the evening storm dumped nearly four inches of rain in less than two hours. It flooded streets, buckled pavements, and briefly shut off electricity to hundreds of residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Bates\u2019 neighborhood, the municipal stormwater drainage system was overwhelmed by the runoff. That meant that instead of entering that system as intended, much of the rain falling on Bates stayed at Bates, backing up into buildings and damaging walls, floors, and some equipment \u2014 and sparking an impressive cleanup response by the college’s Facilities Services team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of those buildings was Chase Hall \u2014 nearly ready to reopen after a 14-month renovation that is making this century-old student center a place that\u2019s more welcoming and easier to navigate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A
An Aug. 1 image from the Student Affairs office suite in Chase Hall, nearing the finish line of its year-long renovation, shows the aftermath of the July 25 rain: Brand-new carpet has been discarded, a 12-inch strip of wallboard removed, and a dehumidifier and fan are drying things out. (Doug Hubley\/Bates College)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The storm hit one day after all the new furniture for Chase had arrived, three days before the city of Lewiston was scheduled to conduct its formal occupancy inspection, and less than a week before Student Affairs staff were scheduled to move in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of the damage consisted of wet wallboard and carpeting (some of which was installed just hours before the storm). For the most part, the flood was less than an inch deep, but that was enough to necessitate throwing away new carpet and replacing strips of new wallboard adjoining the floor, along with the attached trim strips called \u201ccove base.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The stormwater affected portions of the lowest floors of Chase: a Residence Life office suite, the ground floor lobby, the Student Affairs offices in the former College Store site, and the bottom level of the new Central Stair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That Central Stair location, in fact, was the scene of the most concentrated water damage. The pit at the base of the new elevator shaft filled up with water, which immersed and thereby ruined both the device that controls elevator speed and the cable that raises and lowers the car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A
Elsewhere in Chase Hall, things are nearly complete, including this Purposeful Work interview room on the second floor. (Doug Hubley\/Bates College)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Still, as Senior Project Manager Paul Farnsworth pointed out during our visit on Aug. 1, the pit sequestered a lot of water that could have caused more widespread trouble elsewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So now, more than two weeks after the deluge, where do things stand with Chase?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The city inspection that precedes the building\u2019s certification for occupancy has been rescheduled for Aug. 25. An opening ceremony for the remodeled Chase is planned for Sept. 7.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And sometime in between, on a date or dates still to be determined, staff for Residence Life, the Center for Purposeful Work, and other Student Affairs functions will move into their new offices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just to give you some perspective, Student Affairs\u2019 first heavy lift of the new school year \u2014 helping the new Batesies of the Class of 2027 get settled in \u2014 commences on Aug. 31. (For a different kind of perspective, the Bobcat Den reopens Aug. 28 after being closed for much too long.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the cloud-and-silver-lining metaphor seems tacky in this instance, it\u2019s still true that the storm\u2019s impact on Chase could have been much worse. Much of the building\u2019s new furniture had been placed in storm-affected areas, but waterproof legs and feet resisted any damage. Replacement of the damaged wallboard is underway, and replacement carpet will be laid after the walls are repainted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The reconstruction of Chase Hall\u2019s main Campus Avenue entrance was nearly complete on Aug. 1, with just some missing trim and cleaning up to attend to. The doors predate the building\u2019s renovation and were refinished for it. Note the textured brick pattern where the benches meet the building: projecting Flemish bond. (Doug Hubley\/Bates College)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

And as Farnsworth pointed out, \u201cIf this had happened three weeks later, everyone would have moved in and I would have had to move them all out again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The storm\u2019s scrambling of the original Chase timetable has even conferred certain advantages. For example, with the move-in delayed, the project team has been able to tackle so-called day-two items \u2014 tasks normally left until after the certificate of occupancy has been issued. \u201cWe’re able to get a lot of that work done now, rather than having to come back after the building\u2019s occupied,\u201d said Kristi Mynhier, Bates\u2019 project manager for Chase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In at least one case, in fact, the storm even hastened Chase past a major milestone. As Mynhier explains, it was desirable to get the HVAC system running to help dry out the building. That entailed connecting the system to the campus-wide network of HVAC sensors and controls. So that got done faster than anticipated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, in areas of Chase that didn\u2019t get wet, the renovation is winding down. With the countertop and other woodwork now in place at the Overnook, the first-floor lobby is about done. The glass walls and doors have been installed around the reception area for the Office of Intercultural Education. And technicians are installing card-access readers in a variety of locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chase
Chase Hall\u2019s newly renovated main lobby. The stairway to the left of center leads to Memorial Commons. The corridor at center, adjacent to the new Overnook, leads to the Central Stair. The new staircase behind the column emerges on the second floor at Skelton and Hirasawa lounges. (Doug Hubley\/Bates College)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As noted, Chase wasn\u2019t the only Bates building harmed by the storm: Carnegie Science, Smith, Hedge, and Kalperis halls were the others. \u201cMerrill Gym and Lindholm House had water that was removed, but no real damage to finishes,\u201d notes Jay Phillips, director of Facility Services operations. (There was water erosion and other damage to the campus grounds, too.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phillips adds that some 40 Bates staffers, including custodians and folks in the building trades, were involved in the clean-up and subsequent repairs. A crew from the cleaning and restoration company ServPro also helped out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
\"Nearly

Nearly a week after a storm soaked floors in Chase Hall, getting things dry was still a priority. (Doug Hubley\/Bates College)<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div>
\"An

An Aug. 1 image from the Student Affairs office suite shows the aftermath of the July 25 rain: new carpet has been discarded, a 12-inch strip of wallboard removed, and a dehumidifier and fan are drying things out. (Doug Hubley\/Bates College)<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div>
\"Just

Just prior to the July 25 deluge, this Residence Life office had been fully carpeted. Stormwater entering through an HVAC condensate drain soaked, and spoiled, parts of the new carpet that were subsequently stripped out for replacement. (Doug Hubley\/Bates College)<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div>
\"One

One outcome of the July 25 stormwater backup into Chase Hall was a profusion of trash cans staged on the loading dock for emptying. But soon the dock, with furniture like something from a Parisian sidewalk cafe, will be a place for repose and for socializing. (Doug Hubley\/Bates College)<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div>
\"A

A new Purposeful Work interview room on Chase Hall\u2019s second floor. (Doug Hubley\/Bates College)<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div>
\"Plastic

Plastic covers still protect much of the new furniture in a second-floor lounge in Chase Hall. (Doug Hubley\/Bates College)<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div>
\"At

At 89 inches, this television in a second-floor Chase Hall lounge is Bates\u2019 largest flatscreen. (Doug Hubley\/Bates College)<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div>
\"Sitting

Sitting at a new table amidst other furnishings awaiting deployment, a member of the Consigli Construction staff works in Chase Hall Lounge. Note the remodeled ceiling, and the relocated wall in the background. The territory beyond will belong to the Center for Purposeful Work. (Doug Hubley\/Bates College)<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div>
\"At

At one time this wall separating the Central Stair and Chase Hall Lounge was the rear outside wall of Chase Hall. During the recent renovation, the old window openings were restored and reglazed to add visual interest to the building\u2019s interior. (Doug Hubley\/Bates College)<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div>
\"Inspired

Inspired by Bates Manufacturing Company bedspreads, woven in Lewiston, decorative metalwork has been applied to the front of the Overnook in Chase Hall\u2019s first-floor lobby. (Doug Hubley\/Bates College)<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div>
\"Chase

Chase Hall\u2019s newly renovated main lobby. The stairway to the left of center leads to Memorial Commons. The corridor at center, adjacent to the new Overnook, leads to the Central Stair. The new staircase behind the column emerges on the second floor at Skelton and Hirasawa lounges. (Doug Hubley\/Bates College)<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div>
\"The

The stairs and corridor to Memorial Commons have been snazzed up with new paint, floor and step coverings, and handrails. The blue material provides temporary protection to the new flooring. (Doug Hubley\/Bates College)<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div>
\"This

This seating area in the Center for Purposeful Work backs up to the so-called lightwell, a former stairwell that still encloses one of Chase Hall\u2019s two Campus Avenue entrances. (Doug Hubley\/Bates College)<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div>
\"New

New paint, carpet, and furniture in a dean\u2019s office in Chase Hall. (Doug Hubley\/Bates College)<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div>
\"A

A view of the Central Stair and its elevator. Note the stylish new handrails. The blue plastic floor protection conceals oak stair treads and flooring (visible overhead) made from cross-laminated timber. (Doug Hubley\/Bates College)<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div>
\"The

The reconstruction of Chase Hall\u2019s main Campus Avenue entrance was nearly complete on Aug. 1, with just some missing trim and cleaning up to attend to. The doors predate the building\u2019s renovation and were refinished for it. Note the textured brick pattern where the benches meet the building: projecting Flemish bond. (Doug Hubley\/Bates College)<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

When a building is flooded, Phillips explains, \u201cIt\u2019s critical to get vent holes drilled and walls opened, drying equipment deployed, and lots of air moving within the first 24 hours, or the risk of mold growth increases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur people responded exceptionally well, and their initial response along with continued action the next day prevented further damage and potential mold growth. I\u2019m always impressed by the incredible work our folks perform and their great professionalism under pressure in these difficult situations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Projection room: Immersive Media Studio all but done<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Bates\u2019 new Immersive Media Studio, located in a former classroom and computer lab in Coram Library, is close to completion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Funded by a $500,000 grant<\/a> from the Sherman Fairchild Foundation, the facility will support instruction in and production of high-tech performances and installations incorporating sound, live action, and projected imagery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we visited on Aug. 1, all but a final coat of wall paint, a white \u201c4K\u201d formula that shows projected images to especially good advantage, had been applied. Black floor tiles were placed this week. The ceiling had been coated in matte black paint. With cables newly strung from the control room next door, the ceiling pipe-grid was ready to support the projectors, theatrical lights, and speakers that will cast the digital spells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The photographer\u2019s fingers cast shadows on an undercoat of the special “4K” paint that covers all four walls of Bates\u2019 new Immersive Media Studio. The paint is designed for rendering projected images. (Doug Hubley\/Bates College)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Still in their boxes, those gizmos and others were stockpiled in the control room. Technicians from the West Coast firm DBPC had spent the back half of July in there installing computers and controllers, with plans to return and finish up this month, in time for the start of classes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tin-knockers get ducts in a row in Hathorn Hall attic<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

With installation beginning the last week of July, the new retractable stairs that provide access to Hathorn Hall\u2019s attic are in place. Getting to the attic is still a climb, but now a visitor is spared the claustrophobic aspects of the prior arrangement \u2014 a steep ladder, jammed into a closet in a faculty office, that topped out in something like the Munsters\u2019 living room but without the laugh track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bright new lighting and solid, easily accessed walkways have put an end to the Munstery aspects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"New
New ventilation ducts in the attic of Hathorn Hall. (Doug Hubley\/Bates College)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Also in the attic is a new HVAC machine that replaced an obsolete unit, a substitution that in large part was the impetus for the Hathorn attic project. Cote Corp. of Auburn, known for challenging feats of hoisting and rigging, removed the old machine and brought in the new one, which is roughly the size of a chest freezer. Happily, the elevator was large enough to fit each unit, albeit with tolerances as close as an inch or two, says Brian Lanoie, Bates project manager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The HVAC work also entailed the replacement of a lot of air ducts, work done by the tin-knockers of Nason Mechanical Systems of Auburn. Still to be done on the HVAC front is connecting the new equipment to its power supply and to the campus-wide control network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More broadly, carpentry contractor M.W. Hoss of Portland needs to restructure the attic floor where a hole was cut for the HVAC equipment (a smaller hole at that location where the new stairs are mounted still remains) and refinish the corresponding third-floor ceiling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
\"This

This view was taken from the top of the new retractable ladder serving the Hathorn Hall attic. (Doug Hubley\/Bates College)<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div>
\"New

New ventilation ducts in the attic of Hathorn Hall. (Doug Hubley\/Bates College)<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div>
\"The

The installation of this new air handler was a key goal of the summer\u2019s refurbishment of the attic of Hathorn Hall. (Doug Hubley\/Bates College)<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div>
\"Carpenters

Carpenters for M.W. Hoss of Portland, Maine, built this new ladder leading up to the Hathorn Hall belfry. (Doug Hubley\/Bates College)<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

And all that work, taking place through August, will complete this phase of the Hathorn attic project. The next phase, the replacement of the ringer for Hathorn\u2019s bell, has yet to be scheduled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Garcelon Field turf: \u2018Bouncy and cushy\u2018<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

With athletic practices scheduled to start before the end of August, the overhaul of a landmark sports facility at Bates is nearly finished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Home to Bobcat lacrosse, soccer (occasionally), and \u2014 with the deepest historical roots \u2014 football, Garcelon Field has received a new playing surface this summer. A product called Legion, made by Shaw Sports Turf, the new artificial turf replaces the surface that was installed in 2010 and had reached the limit of its useful life.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThen<\/span>Now<\/span>\n

\"Before:<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"And<\/figure>\n<\/two-up>\n\n\n\n

An aerial view of Garcelon Field before and after its turf replacement. Use your mouse to grab the slider (or swipe your finger if on a phone or tablet) to reveal more or less of each image. (Branden Rush\/Bates College)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both products comprise a grass-like plastic matrix that\u2019s infilled with a mix of sand and crumb rubber. And both surfaces were installed by R.A.D. Sports of Rockland, Mass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the Legion is essentially complete (as is a replacement for the 2010 chain-link fence that had surrounded the field), Garcelon remains closed for another week or two while punch-listing and some tests are being conducted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The turf came in massive rolls that were spooled out into place across the field by specially equipped tractors. But we were interested to learn from Chris Streifel, Bates project manager for the turf replacement, that a significant proportion of the installation was performed by people using hand tools. Their work included finalizing the placement of the rolls, tweaking their seams, and \u2014 perhaps most interesting \u2014 setting in all but the biggest markings on the turf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"As
As Garcelon Field is a multi-sport facility, different colors indicate markings on the turf for different games. Most of these field graphics were sewn in by hand. (Jay Burns\/Bates College)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As a multi-sport field, Garcelon uses different colors for markings pertaining to different games. Most of these graphics can\u2019t be fabricated at the factory and have to be created by hand on site. \u201cSo a lot of customized stuff would be done right on the field, and they would cut out pieces and sew in new pieces,\u201d explains Streifel, the college\u2019s director of capital planning and construction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThen somebody goes through and checks all that. So they actually spent the last week just going over in fine detail all of those seams.\u201d Note that this is all done on hands and knees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd now you can’t even tell\u201d that the work was done by hand. \u201cIt all blends together like it was always together from day one.\u201d Streifel adds, \u201cIt\u2019s a lot of fine detail and a lot of expertise.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
\"A

A close-up of the new Legion playing surface on Garcelon Field shows the artificial grass and the sand-and-crumb-rubber infill. (Jay Burns\/Bates College)<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div>
\"The

The north end of the newly resurfaced Garcelon Field. (Doug Hubley\/Bates College)<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div>
\"As

As Garcelon Field is a multi-sport facility, different colors indicate markings on the turf for different games. Most of these field graphics were sewn in by hand. (Jay Burns\/Bates College)<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div>
\"The

The colors pop on Garcelon Field\u2019s new Legion playing surface. (Doug Hubley\/Bates College)<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div>
\"A

A view of the new Legion playing surface, made by Shaw Sports Turf, on Garcelon Field. Many of the markings shown were cut and stitched in by hand. (Doug Hubley\/Bates College)<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was a very smooth project,\u201d he notes. Because Bates issued its request for bids on the project early, the college was able to get a high slot on R.A.D.\u2019s calendar and avoid the cumulative delays that are almost inevitable over the course of a busy contractor\u2019s summer. \u201cI have nothing but good things to say about the R.A.D. Sports team and Gale Associates, our designer.\u201d Gale is based in Portland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe field’s awesome,\u201d Streifel continues. \u201cIt\u2019s so fun to step on. It’s so bouncy and cushy, and if I was going to get tackled hard by somebody at this point, that’s where I\u2019d want to have it happen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can we talk<\/strong>? Campus Construction Update loves to hear from you. Please send questions and comments about past, present, future, and past-perfect construction at Bates to dhubley@bates.edu<\/em><\/a>, with \u201cCampus Construction\u201d or \u201cDoes this work make you tense?\u201d in the subject line.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A rainstorm pushes back move-in day for Chase Hall, but three other summer projects are complete or nearly so.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":105,"featured_media":156021,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_hide_ai_chatbot":false,"_ai_chatbot_style":"","associated_faculty":[],"_Page_Specific_Css":"","_bates_restrict_mod":false,"_table_of_contents_display":false,"_table_of_contents_location":"","_table_of_contents_disableSticky":false,"_is_featured":false,"footnotes":"","_bates_seo_meta_description":"","_bates_seo_block_robots":false,"_bates_seo_sharing_image_id":0,"_bates_seo_sharing_image_twitter_id":0,"_bates_seo_share_title":"","_bates_seo_canonical_overwrite":"","_bates_seo_twitter_template":""},"categories":[31,11009],"tags":[1932,10837,11652,3748,4096,6889],"class_list":["post-156018","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lewiston-auburn","category-the-college","tag-campus-construction-updates","tag-chase-hall","tag-coram-library","tag-garcelon-field","tag-hathorn-hall","tag-performing-and-visual-arts"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/156018","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/105"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=156018"}],"version-history":[{"count":31,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/156018\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":156524,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/156018\/revisions\/156524"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/156021"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=156018"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=156018"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=156018"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}