The tight, compact site on which the new Vandegrift High School was constructed caused scheduling issues during the layout of the geothermal loop wells. Coordination among the mechanical contractor and subcontractors kept work moving and allowed the project to remain on schedule.

Photo: Jim Lincoln

The entire project included the 5,000-seat Monroe Memorial Stadium, a 7,400-sq-ft sports complex, a 175,000-sq-ft building shared by fine arts and athletics and a 225,000-sq-ft academic and career building.

The layout of the wells required utilizing areas that would be covered with concrete paving. The geothermal loop wells would serve water-source heat pumps in the academic and career building. The mechanical engineer of record was able to finalize the loop-well design for an early bid package.

American Constructor crews bid the package and scoped out the bidders quickly. Critical to the buyout process was getting a firm commitment to meeting the GC/CM’s fast-track schedule.

The successful bidder met the commitment and completed the drilling and loop-well piping within the required schedule, which allowed the concrete paving to be installed on schedule and meet the parking requirements for the new stadium.

Key Players

Submitted by: American Constructors
Developer/owner: Leander ISD, Leander, Texas
General contractor/construction manager: American Constructors, Austin
Architect: Fields & Associates Architects Inc., Austin
Civil engineer: PBS&J Inc., Austin
Structural engineer: Pickett, Kelm & Associates Inc., Austin
MEP engineer: MEP Engineering Inc., Austin