Like many projects, the construction of the Greenbrier Valley Aquatic Center (GVAC) experienced delays because of the global pandemic.
Unfortunately, that is not the only problem new construction is facing. The pandemic has also caused increases in the price of materials. Thankfully, that has not stopped the directors of the GVAC from moving forward.
According to the organization president TAG Galyean, construction is now proceeding nicely. Not only have they been able to resume construction efforts, but they were also able to negotiate the price of the materials they needed without having to decrease quality.
Galyean said that they want to ensure that all materials used are of high quality and durability.
“We promised a first-class facility,” Galyean said. “We are building what we wanted to build.”
Galyean said they expect to be able to have a public event at the site in mid-January. At that point, there will be steel in the air and the “bones” of the building will be able to be seen.
The foundations are currently being built and the first phase of steel is on site.
Galyean said, “Of course, weather dependent and getting the piers and the foundation complete, we should be erecting steel by the first of the year.”
Galyean went on to say that they are planning to open the center on Labor Day 2021.
Even though there have been cost increases and they are still evaluating the overall costs, they made the decision to push forward with construction, Galyean said.
“The decision was that if we delayed in proceeding, if delayed to wait for COVID to get out of our lives, that it would increase costs even further and also delay the opening,” Galyean said.
Plans for the Greenbrier Valley Aquatic Center began in October of 2015. The planning stage continued until May of 2018 when the State Fair of West Virginia donated land to hold the center. The next month, June, the corporation was formed. Their 501c(3) status was approved in March of the following year.
There are many people involved in a project as large as the construction of the Greenbrier Valley Aquatic Center. There are architects, engineers, construction workers, pool designers, and many others. Architecture for this project is being handled by Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates. Civil engineering is provided by Terradon Corporation and structural & MEP engineering by Barry Isett & Associates. Pool design is by National Pools of Roanoke, Inc.
There are also many layers to the construction of this project, which requires many different people and companies working together.
From July of 2020 until project completion in September 2021, these are the construction companies working on the project. Lynch Construction Co. Inc. is handling site development while general construction is handled by Radford & Radford, Inc. with Southern Air, Inc. Next, Sons of Seibert, Inc. is responsible for steel structure and skin. Electric work is being done by Greenbrier Technologies & Electric. Finally, pools are being installed by National Pools of Roanoke, Inc.
There are also many businesses and individuals that have donated to this project. Without all of the donors, this project would not be possible, Galyean said.
After construction is completed, every donor will be recognized by name within the center.
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