In the last 2 weeks we have really seen the lower level begin to take shape. I am amazed at how much it changes once the drywall is up--rooms are defined & the utilization of space is very clear.
There has been much behind the scenes activity taking place with much discussion about the lighting placement, type of fixtures & more electrical wiring being placed. We are taking this opportunity to add additional network wires to the outlets on the main floor of the library. We have several computers that are wired to one outlet & then split to connect to a hub. The expansion of the network wire into the outlets upstairs will help give us a stronger connection & allow for more hardwired computers in the future.
The Wahoo Public Library Foundation has been very instrumental in the funding for this project. The last few years they have been excellent stewards of donated funds & because of those generous donors we are able to do this project far sooner than I ever expected.
The new expanded lower level space will provide new areas for us to utilize for educational purposes, fun activities, cultural programs & so much more. The library currently offers GED classes & ESL classes. Sometimes due to meeting room use these groups have had to meet in the lobby of the library enduring constant interruptions & distractions. One of the new meeting rooms in the lower level is dedicated to classroom learning. We will have laptop computers available with a wireless or hardwire connection for long distance learning. Adult computer classes will also be available using the laptop computers.
The second meeting room gives the children of the library the opportunity to create many art projects without having to worry about carpet, glue, glitter, paint etc. This area will have a tile floor with a sink & plenty of storage space. The kids who participate in story time crafts or summer reading crafts will be able to leave the artwork out to dry without being in the way of another group using the meeting room. The room can also turn into a totally dark room for movie days at the library. Carrie won't have to hang the ugly grey fabric that we used to use in the upstairs meeting room to keep out the light every summer.
All of those working on the lower level space have been great to work with & they are really moving quickly. When I spoke to Jeff Buckmaster last week I told him that we want to be able to host an open house in the new space during National Library Week, which is the 2nd week of April. He assured me they would be finished by then! Barring any big problems I truly believe that he is correct!
Until next time...
Denise
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
There's alot happening downstairs...
Wow, since I last posted the beginning of construction about 3 weeks ago, the lower level is totally changed.
We have steel stud walls framed out, the plumbers have installed plumbing, & a sump pump, the electricians & fire alarm people have been very busy doing what they need to do to turn this project into our fabulous new meeting room spaces.
Lots of activity downstairs also makes for some noisy days upstairs, but it is amazing to see how quickly these construction guys have changed the look of the lower level!
Last week contractor, Jeff Buckmaster had me select the cabinetry & counter top choices for the main meeting room, I can't believe I made these decisions in less than 10 minutes--when we remodeled at home it took weeks to decide cabinet finishes, tile choices, paint colors, etc...I guess it's different when you are limited to only 2-3 choices--but not near as much fun!
Unfortunately we can't get to our downstairs storage area so that means that most of the Christmas materials (books & DVD's) need to be stored upstairs for a few more weeks but they will stay dust free while some of the other items downstairs will get a little dusty.
It was quite a trick to reach the goodies needed for the Kiwanis meeting on the 12th, Phil Dawson did a great job squeezing between the plastic liner & bookcase to reach the pop & chips that are necessary for our noon meetings!
Today, the fire alarm company is here to place the new pull stations & sprinkler alarms, the electricians are also busy installing wiring & outlets. For anyone who may be considering remodeling or building a new space, you can never have too many electrical outlets!! The lower level will have WiFi connectivity, but I also wanted to make sure we would have hardwired outlets for computers if needed.
We have steel stud walls framed out, the plumbers have installed plumbing, & a sump pump, the electricians & fire alarm people have been very busy doing what they need to do to turn this project into our fabulous new meeting room spaces.
Lots of activity downstairs also makes for some noisy days upstairs, but it is amazing to see how quickly these construction guys have changed the look of the lower level!
Last week contractor, Jeff Buckmaster had me select the cabinetry & counter top choices for the main meeting room, I can't believe I made these decisions in less than 10 minutes--when we remodeled at home it took weeks to decide cabinet finishes, tile choices, paint colors, etc...I guess it's different when you are limited to only 2-3 choices--but not near as much fun!
Unfortunately we can't get to our downstairs storage area so that means that most of the Christmas materials (books & DVD's) need to be stored upstairs for a few more weeks but they will stay dust free while some of the other items downstairs will get a little dusty.
It was quite a trick to reach the goodies needed for the Kiwanis meeting on the 12th, Phil Dawson did a great job squeezing between the plastic liner & bookcase to reach the pop & chips that are necessary for our noon meetings!
Today, the fire alarm company is here to place the new pull stations & sprinkler alarms, the electricians are also busy installing wiring & outlets. For anyone who may be considering remodeling or building a new space, you can never have too many electrical outlets!! The lower level will have WiFi connectivity, but I also wanted to make sure we would have hardwired outlets for computers if needed.
Hats off to all of the hard working guys of the last few weeks, Buckmaster Construction, Kubr Electric, RAS Plumbing, Nifco & General Fire Alarm none of whom laughed at me when I asked a question about anything they were doing!
Special thanks to project manager, Dennis Jeppson who makes all of this so easy & fun!
Until next time...
Denise
Thursday, December 30, 2010
And we're off...
Greetings from Wahoo Public Library...
On Monday, December 27, 2010 the library lower level construction began! The first day was fairly calm with the guys from Buckmaster Construction just coming in to do a little pre-construction set-up.
As someone who has lived through & most importantly survived major renovations without losing my marriage I can tell you that any man who sets up a construction site to contain dust is a hero in my book!
Laying plastic on the carpet in the back entry & sealing off the basement area that would see the major dust were just some of the pre-construction jobs Jeff & his guys did that morning.
Tuesday brought the guys back to the library bright & early to begin the jack-hammering of the concrete basement floor. Yes, it was very noisy, but you can't have construction without destruction! They had only been working about an hour when Rachel from the Wahoo Newspaper came to do an article for another topic & asked if she could take some pictures of the demolition.
We both went down to the lower level & I cautiously opened the door, it was a dust haze & the floor was fairly well destroyed, wheel barrows were being loaded with concrete chunks & Jeff was running the jack-hammer. They took a quick break to answer Rachel's questions & she took a few photos then it was back to work--no goofing off we need this project done soon!!
Actually it went fairly fast & when I came back from lunch at 1:00 they had finished & left for the day. When I went back downstairs later that day to make sure all the lights were off, I was amazed at how well they had cleaned up the job site & even put up caution tape over the dug out path that will be the home of the new sewer line.
Now we are just waiting for the next phase--the plumber who will install the new sewer line for the bathroom.
Denise
On Monday, December 27, 2010 the library lower level construction began! The first day was fairly calm with the guys from Buckmaster Construction just coming in to do a little pre-construction set-up.
As someone who has lived through & most importantly survived major renovations without losing my marriage I can tell you that any man who sets up a construction site to contain dust is a hero in my book!
Laying plastic on the carpet in the back entry & sealing off the basement area that would see the major dust were just some of the pre-construction jobs Jeff & his guys did that morning.
Tuesday brought the guys back to the library bright & early to begin the jack-hammering of the concrete basement floor. Yes, it was very noisy, but you can't have construction without destruction! They had only been working about an hour when Rachel from the Wahoo Newspaper came to do an article for another topic & asked if she could take some pictures of the demolition.
We both went down to the lower level & I cautiously opened the door, it was a dust haze & the floor was fairly well destroyed, wheel barrows were being loaded with concrete chunks & Jeff was running the jack-hammer. They took a quick break to answer Rachel's questions & she took a few photos then it was back to work--no goofing off we need this project done soon!!
Actually it went fairly fast & when I came back from lunch at 1:00 they had finished & left for the day. When I went back downstairs later that day to make sure all the lights were off, I was amazed at how well they had cleaned up the job site & even put up caution tape over the dug out path that will be the home of the new sewer line.
Now we are just waiting for the next phase--the plumber who will install the new sewer line for the bathroom.
In future posts I will explain why we are doing this project, what we will do with the space, how it is being funded, etc...I will also consult & share this space with our project manager, Dennis Jeppson who will make sure what I post is the correct construction terminology!
Denise
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