ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Noun stew·ard·ship ˈstü-ərd-ˌship

The careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care.

As sidewalks create pathways on campus, all four parts of the campus master plan weave together in the fourth ambition: Support a measured approach to existing facilities and environmental stewardship.

“This ambition requires ongoing maintenance programs, expanded space for maintenance operations, and utilizing new construction and renovations as opportunities to enhance our environmental efforts,” Blanchard, the architect, noted. “Environmental stewardship is a top priority, and we are dedicated to maintaining this commitment. The school has made great gains over its history with its remarkable facilities and landscapes. It is crucial that we continue to care for them responsibly.”

This ambition will include a new facilities complex and central plant, mechanical renovations to Traylor Hall, and a host of other initiatives.

There always will be a wish list, and as opportunities are presented, there are questions to consider:

• How does this fit into the long-term plan? How does this best serve our students?

• What are the unintended consequences or implications of these decisions?

“There’s a reason things were put in a spot,” McDowell, head of school, noted. “That doesn’t always mean that those reasons hold up over time, but we need to fully explore that before we make changes. Sometimes change can create great opportunity. That’s really what we’re seeking. How do we get a win-win?”

One major win for this ambition is the renovation of Traylor Hall, a project that has been approved and is slated to begin in 2024.

“It’s a $4.5 million building that is essentially priceless–you couldn’t rebuild it,” and yet it has a 100-year-old HVAC system, McDowell said.

“Buildings get old, and deferred maintenance comes into play. It’s not the most attractive thing to talk about, but it’s incredibly important as stewards of the school to be always thinking about how we maintain these amazing facilities that we’re building.”

Mercersburg has numerous potential opportunities for thoughtful environmental stewardship where the projects are concerned, noted Director of Environmental Initiatives Will Willis P ’22, ’24.

“Renovations in Traylor will undoubtedly seek to maintain the building’s unique charm, but will also create a more comfortable space and save a substantial amount of energy by replacing the inefficient and uneven HVAC system there now,” said Willis, a science faculty member. He noted that updates on IT infrastructure offer an opportunity to reduce energy consumption while increasing technological access and speed.

This part of the plan also includes recommendations for the creation of a contemplative garden by the Irvine Memorial Chapel or a rejuvenation of the Boys’ Garden near the Burgin Center for the Arts.

“These offer an avenue for the grounds staff to creatively accentuate our grounds even more, much to the benefit of the community, while also enhancing biodiversity and habitat on campus,” Willis said.

Additionally, it’s important to note that the central plant building was constructed in 1910 and was originally a coal-fired power plant that produced electricity for the campus. It currently serves as the central plant for heating and cooling for the majority of the campus buildings.

“A planned replacement of the building and equipment presents a unique opportunity to modernize with cutting-edge technologies that will improve both reliability and energy efficiencies across campus,” noted Brian Nordyke, director of facilities.

When asked to predict what aspect of the ambitions will be the most difficult to achieve, McDowell is careful to comment.

“I’ve been here long enough to see unimaginable things happen,” McDowell said. “The power of the Mercersburg community is mighty. I have no doubt that if it’s something our school really needs, and we do it the right way, and for all the right reasons, that we can make it happen.” modernize with cutting-edge technologies that will improve both reliability and energy efficiencies across campus.