Page 8 - DCA Construction Excellence Awards 2024

2024 CONSTRUCTION EXCELLENCE AWARDS
GENERAL BUILDING OVER $20 MILLION
THE WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY
Middletown YMCA
This project consisted of a new 58,460-square-foot, two-story fitness center in the heart of downtown Middletown, Delaware. This new fitness facility features an eight-lane indoor swimming pool, a gymnasium, weightlifting rooms, locker rooms, administration areas, and two-story observation
areas with ample seating. This state-of-the-art facility did not come without its fair share of challenges. Metal decking and open-web steel joists were scarce, creating undesirable lead times and inflated costs. The aesthetically pleasing exterior building envelope consists of numerous construction materials, creating challenges in weatherproofing and protecting the structure. Ongoing coordination with the design team and trade partners was crucial in navigating these challenges in an effective and timely fashion. The construction manager continuously implemented their skills in value engineering to help keep construction fluid while minimizing schedule and budget impacts, thus creating a work of art that will remain a staple in the YMCA’s Delaware branches for years to come.
EXCELLENCE IN CRAFTSMANSHIP – FIRE PROTECTION
WAYMAN FIRE PROTECTION
Delaware Warehouse 2024
This project consisted of the unique utilization and installation of a rapid-expansion foam fire suppression system. The 88,000-square-foot warehouse — with ceiling heights of 90 feet needed — required a much more demanding fire suppression system than a typical sprinkler system would provide. The Wayman Fire Protection team performed rigorous design calculations to meet the owners’ needs while also meeting their budget and schedule. Custom-made pumps and generators were then designed and fabricated in Holland for the fire suppression system to work both efficiently and effectively. Outside-the-box thinking was then needed to determine exactly how to get the fire suppression system 90 feet into the air and structurally braced as they hung down from the ceiling. Custom seismic braces were utilized to ensure the systems remained rigid during any potential seismic events. The Wayman Fire Protection team’s expertise and experience allowed them to lead the efforts, effectively coordinate with all parties involved, and ultimately complete the job to the owner’s satisfaction.
8 | DELAWARE CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION 2024