Everyone understands maintenance is required to keep things working. Even so, there comes a time when things wear out and have to be replaced.
A facility assessment was completed in 2010. We learned that we were very close to having to replace heating and cooling systems.
In spring 2013 I authorized the first of what would come to be four total studies of our heating and cooling systems with engineers, energy efficiency experts and contractors. All the findings have been the same. We have done well in gathering the facts and doing our due diligence.
WHAT IS OUR SITUATION?
First, kindly allow me tell you the good news. We have gotten extraordinary value from the original 1950 boiler that heats the school west wing and church.
The west wing boiler now is obsolete and essential parts no longer are available. The equipment, steam pipes and classroom unit ventilators are alarmingly unreliable and terribly inefficient. After 65 years of providing the heat for the school west wing and church, the boiler is worn out and must be preplaced.
If the boiler finally quits, our school and church are shut down.
Second, kindly allow me to tell you some more good news. We have gotten extraordinary value from the used air conditioning unit purchased and installed in the church in 1968.
The church heating coil system, condensing unit and air handling system are riddled with steam leaks, terribly inefficient, worn out and must be replaced.
WHAT ARE WE DOING?
Our most pressing priority is preplacing the 1950 boiler and (used) 1968 air conditioning unit in church.
This summer we will mount new roof top units that will deliver air into the same area of the building. The roof tope units are substantially more efficient and will add cooling to the portion of the school where the youngest children learn. Work will begin next month with project completion scheduled for early September.
We do not anticipate any significant inconveniences to the school or church throughout the construction.
Parts from the 1950 boiler will be salvaged for use with the other boiler that heats the school east wing and O’Grady Community Center (gym).
Six different contracting firms were solicited to bid on the project. Four firms submitted proposals. I am confident in the design and in the low bid local contracting firm we have selected: Positive Trades Group.
The total expense of the project is $278,244. Saint Benedict School will provide $136,000. The parish finance council unanimously recommended taking $142,244 from savings. I have accepted their recommendation.
Contracts and financing have been approved by the Diocese of Toledo.
THREE FINAL POINTS
- Our parish savings will be depleted by this project. We will not have additional money to handle unexpected major expenses until reserved levels are replenished.
- The school savings similarly will be depleted.
- This is the most pressing heating and cooling replacement. The 1962 boiler heating the school east wing and O’Grady Community Center is nearing the end of its service. Additionally, the 1981 air conditioning unit cooling the O’Grady Community Center needs to be replaced in the coming years. There are no funds available for these future capital improvements whose combined estimated cost will exceed the $280,000 project we are completing this summer.
