The YMCA approached WDS Construction about expanding their weight room by adding a second floor above their old racquetball courts. To give them a second floor, WDS needed to install a 40’ long beam with very little clearance between the existing walls of the racquetball courts. Numerous ideas were pitched on how they make this happen, but the WDS Special Services team ultimately proposed removing one of the exterior concrete wall panels. This allowed them to have an 8’ wide hole to get the beam into the building. Removing the wall panel (which weighed 28,000 lbs.) also allowed a mini excavator to remove the old slab, dig new footings for the structural steel, and set the new structural steel with a telehandler. Using the mini excavator and telehandler allowed the tasks to be completed efficiently and safely, ultimately reducing the project schedule time and saving the client money. While the 2nd floor was being constructed, the Special Services team also constructed a temporary insulated wall with doors to seal the building from the elements. After the 2nd floor was installed, Special Services removed the temporary wall, reinstalled the existing concrete wall panel, and sealed the building back up. Not only does Special Services tackle smaller projects, we also partner with our Construction Management side to aid in larger-scale renovations.
