Proper Planning

The Clubhouse expansion, and splash pad projects are now well underway, and it is great to see excavation work moving along quickly.  You might not think that these would have much impact on the Grounds Department operation, however there are a number of things which had to be taken into account.

For starters, we knew that the multitude of wires and pipes which came out the side of the Clubhouse would need to be relocated.  This included:

• Irrigation zone control wires and common wire.
• Power wire for irrigation controller.
• Communication wire for irrigation controller.
• Fiber optic wire to the Cabana building.
• 480 Volt line for putting green fan.

As we discussed last winter in Rewired we tried to prepare as best as possible for the impact the Clubhouse project would have.  One thing we knew would be close, was the irrigation main line that supplies water to everything on the front side of the Clubhouse.  Had we just needed to avoid the actual building, we would have probably been alright.  However, with a 12' vertical cut for the new foundation, shoring had to be put in place away from the actual building, and the line moved.

The relocated 2" line is still not far from harm's way.

Here is a little before and after.  Prior to excavating the new foundation, the irrigation line is about 18" below ground level.

Now there is just a bit more change in the grade behind this line.  In this particular area, we also had to cut and cap where the three turf and shrub zones came off the main line.  Ideally, these can be tied back in for future irrigation once the building and landscaping are completed.

We had our fingers crossed as the excavator was digging a line for the storm drain last week, with our irrigation controller, pipes and valves all close by.  Thankfully, we had no geysers!

With silt fence and construction fencing surrounding it, we know that accessing the Clubhouse putting green has become a challenge for our members.  You are not alone, as getting blowers, mowers, and sprayers to the green, is also a challenge for the Grounds staff.  Sprinklers around the green were converted from full circle to part circle, in order to avoid hitting the fence and running onto the construction area.

Over at the pool area, the tennis irrigation supply line had run straight across the area where the splash pad is being built.  We cut this line along court #2, and rerouted it to feed courts #3 and 4.

Three turf zones and the tennis court irrigation were impacted by the splash pad.

Projects like this are exciting to take part in, and keep us on our toes, as the landscape literally shifts quickly.