Huntington County Community School Corporation Board Discusses Salamonie HVAC System Overhaul
Huntington, IN – During the Huntington County Community School Corporation (HCCSC) Board's public work session held on August 8th, key discussions centered around significant updates to the HVAC system at Salamonie School. The session featured presentations from Terry Thornsbury, President of Veridian Architectural Designs Inc., and Rich Hertel, HCCSC’s Director of Maintenance.
Thornsbury and Hertel provided an in-depth overview of the ongoing design process and the pressing need for HVAC replacements at Salamonie, a facility with aging infrastructure. The existing HVAC system, which dates back to the original construction of the building in 1971, has been struggling with maintenance issues, leading to concerns about its reliability and efficiency.
"The HVAC system has seen its life," Hertel emphasized, noting that the school is currently using a system well past its expected lifespan. Replacement parts are becoming increasingly difficult to find, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
Thornsbury shared that the project is approximately 75-80% through the design phase, with an estimated budget of $5.5 million allocated from the 2023 bond. The bond, secured late last year, is specifically earmarked for Salamonie School's renovations, with the HVAC system being the primary focus.
In addition to replacing the HVAC system, Thornsbury and Hertel discussed potential options for "right-sizing" the building. Given that large portions of the school, including the natatorium and certain locker rooms, are no longer in use, the proposal includes demolishing these underutilized areas to reduce maintenance and operational costs.
However, the cost estimate for these additional renovations pushes the total project cost to around $7.4 million, well above the current budget. To address this, the project will be bid with alternates, allowing the Board to prioritize essential upgrades while staying within budget.
"We're concerned about pricing and getting bids," Thornsbury stated, referencing the ongoing construction boom in nearby Fort Wayne, which is driving up demand and costs for mechanical contractors.
The Board also discussed the timeline for the project, with plans to put the project out for bid in early September. Given the long lead times for ordering mechanical equipment—up to 30 weeks—Hertel stressed the importance of moving forward quickly to ensure the project can be completed by next summer, particularly for the spaces used for classrooms.
The Board, led by Superintendent John Trout, expressed the need to carefully consider all options, balancing the urgency of the HVAC replacement with budget constraints and the future use of the building.
“This is a significant investment in this building, and we just want to do it the right way for years to come,” Trout remarked, highlighting the importance of thoughtful planning in the face of limited resources.
The session underscored the complexity of maintaining aging school infrastructure while being mindful of budgetary limitations. The next steps will involve finalizing the design and moving forward with the bidding process, with the aim of beginning construction in the coming months.
The Huntington community is encouraged to stay informed and engaged as the project progresses, with future updates to be provided by the HCCSC Board.