Continuing a Delaware Legacy

Building DuPont Country Club’s New Pool and Fitness Center

Photography by Daniel Jackson Photo

When the DuPont Country Club embarked on a journey to add value to their memberships with new offerings, they engaged EDiS Company as their Construction Manager to bring their new state-of-the-art fitness center and pool to life. Designed and constructed to exceed member expectations and serve the community, EDiS Company’s primary goal was to build them a facility that would reflect the quality and 100-year legacy for which the DuPont Country Club is known.

To reflect this legacy accurately, the original design for the fitness center called for materials that would match the historic building adjacent to it. While kept in impeccable condition, the neighboring building had been constructed with costly materials. The initial design for the new fitness center was considerably over budget. To solve the dilemma, the EDiS Estimating team studied 11 different cost-saving scenarios until they found one that achieved the same look with reduced cost.

Every system, finish, and use of space was analyzed and economized so that the owner had the most cost-effective solution while still receiving quality materials and craftsmanship. For example, the project team suggested the client use an EIFS system instead of an architectural metal paneling system because it was nearly identical in aesthetic, yet cost less. For the fitness center’s glass system, a storefront system was chosen instead of a curtain wall system as it was similar in design and aesthetic but kept costs in line. Collaborating with the equipment designer helped EDiS find value in the indoor flooring for the fitness center. The pool decking was switched to a brushed concrete, and the gutter system switched to a stainless steel. When all was said and done, EDiS saved the client almost $650,000 in alternative systems.

Successful communication on this project can be attributed in part to frequent meetings between the EDiS team, Rogers McCagg Architects, and all subcontractors. This allowed the project design and construction team to stay in sync with the client’s needs, and the clients and partners to remain updated throughout the project. Frequent and transparent communication allowed the team to solve challenges quickly, which was essential to the project’s success. Construction was completed in two phases: the Phase One focus was on the pool, which the client requested be completed by early summer to accommodate their members. After finishing the pool, the EDiS team turned to the fitness center in Phase Two. Extraordinary planning, excellent communication, and a true team effort has added to the DuPont Country Club’s legacy for years to come.

Design Team

Owner: Rockland Sports LLC

Architect: Rogers McCagg Architects

Civil Engineer: Duffield Associates

Mechanical Engineer: DEDC

Structural Engineer: MacIntosh Engineering

EDiS was diligent in coordinating with the club staff to make sure that they minimized the impact on the membership, while also maintaining a safe work environment. We could not be more pleased with the professionalism, work ethic, and partnership that the EDiS team has given us.

- Rob Wirth, CEO Rockland Sports LLC

Butler Solution Provides Flexibility & Schedule Acceleration

EDiS Building Systems (EBS) Solutions suggested a Butler Manufacturing pre-engineered metal building be used for the construction of the fitness center. Butler solutions are custom engineered to specific dimensions, structural criteria, and materials in accordance with local building codes. In addition to the cost savings associated with systems construction, Butler’s system is designed to assemble quickly, enabling it to be built up to 30% faster than is possible with conventional construction methods or wood framed buildings. By manufacturing building, roof, and wall systems off-site and coordinating and assembling on-site, the team was able to secure a quicker ground-up construction time frame. Additionally, because Butler Systems are pre-engineered, EDiS was able to work through constructability issues before they could occur in the field. With time-consuming steps eliminated, the project started sooner and was finished within the client’s requested completion date. Unique Delivery Challenges Presented by COVID-19 Safety and health meetings were held on a regular basis and were enhanced and increased in frequency once COVID-19 guidelines were implemented. Pre-planning conferences were conducted alongside coordination of the different trades to include safety and health topics like fall safety, equipment handling, COVID-19 avoidance, and more. Daily inspection reports were completed by each contractor verifying the inspection of their work areas, tools, and equipment. EDiS gathered the most up-to-date systems like Christiana Care’s CareVio symptom monitoring app to monitor contractor employees as they traveled to work each day. Carpooling was eliminated, sanitation stations set up, trailer restrictions implemented, distancing rules were established, and the daily Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updates presented. Temporary signage was also created to direct the flow of “traffic” of patrons on the active job site once the pool was completed. EDiS custom banners encouraging masks and social distancing were placed on the site as well.

Unique Delivery Challenges Presented by COVID-19

Safety and health meetings were held on a regular basis and were enhanced and increased in frequency once COVID-19 guidelines were implemented. Pre-planning conferences were conducted alongside coordination of the different trades to include safety and health topics like fall safety, equipment handling, COVID-19 avoidance, and more. Daily inspection reports were completed by each contractor verifying the inspection of their work areas, tools, and equipment. EDiS gathered the most up-to-date systems like Christiana Care’s CareVio symptom monitoring app to monitor contractor employees as they traveled to work each day. Carpooling was eliminated, sanitation stations set up, trailer restrictions implemented, distancing rules were established, and the daily Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updates presented. Temporary signage was also created to direct the flow of “traffic” of patrons on the active job site once the pool was completed. EDiS custom banners encouraging masks and social distancing were placed on the site as well.

Award-Winning Work

The DuPont Country Club Pool and Fitness Center project was recognized with 2020’s highest honor from the Associated Builders and Contractors Delaware Chapter - the Excellence in Construction Award. The project and the EDiS team were recognized for tight deadline completions, quality of work, and successful cost-saving approaches. Congratulations to the team!