UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA
Gallagher Business Building
Completed in 1996, the University of Montana Gallagher Business Building represented a huge advancement for the School of Business at the Missoula campus. A new, state-of-the-art facility, the Gallagher Business Building brings technology to the fingertips of the students and faculty. The new 4-level building includes classrooms, meeting rooms, computer labs, and faculty offices. Electrically the building required many challenges and opportunities. The building was tied into the campus loop utility system. Minimal shutdowns were required to relocate and extend the existing loop infrastructure. All electrical work was self-performed by Valley Electrical Contracting.
Skaggs Building
(June 2011-July 2012)
This Project was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The project consisted of upgrading the mechanical equipment and controls on the older portion of the Skaggs building complex. The buildings central HVAC, hot water, and chilled water systems all received new or upgraded equipment along with the individual labs located throughout the building. Ventilation systems were also upgraded throughout the individual labs with the latest mechanical technology. Extensive contractor planning and coordination allowed classes and research projects to continue throughout the construction process with minimal interruptions.
MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY
Strand Union Building
This project included an extensive remodel of the existing building. This included reconstruction and an upgrade of the existing 4000-amp service with minimal shut-down time. The existing building was to be kept functional at all times during the construction process. The project included a renovation of the existing kitchen, the addition of two smaller kitchen/serving areas, new offices that were added to the building, and a complete remodel of the existing theater. A new audio/visual fire alarm system was added, and the telecommunications systems was upgraded. Weekly coordination meetings with the University employees, users, and student representatives were required to minimize disruption of the building usage.
Fitness Center
This project included an addition and remodel to the existing structure. The addition consisted of new administration offices, locker rooms, cardio/fitness rooms, and lobby areas. The project included an upgrade of the existing Electrical Service with minimal shut-down to the existing building. The existing gyms remained functional throughout the duration of the project. The project required a new and upgraded fire alarm system, telecommunications system, and access control system. The project had an extensive lighting package including low voltage lighting, cold cathode lighting, fluorescent high bays, lighting trusses, and an involved lighting control system. Weekly coordination meetings with the University employees and users were required to minimize disruption of the building usage.
GREAT FALLS COLLEGE
Great Falls College – MSU
This project added a wing to the existing structure. Construction included brick walls, vaulted ceilings, science labs, a library, and an upgraded parking lot. The project included a new 1200-amp Electrical Service, added a new fire alarm panel that tied into the existing system, and a new lighting control system. Lighting varied from decorative low voltage track that was bent to match the waves of the library counter tops, to functional laboratory lighting, to exterior pole lighting. Floor Trak was utilized in the library as part of an accessible floor system. Coordination was required between the construction team and the University to minimize shut-down time and keep the building functional.
