WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING...
Last fall we heard from many of our retreatants that their retreat rooms were TOO HOT.  After close investigation, Don Rolison our Maintenance Manager discovered that after 70 years of keeping the retreat house heated, the steam pipes that feed the radiators to the retreat rooms had rusted to the point of failure.  Of course, the solution is not a simple one - and unfortunately not inexpensive. These problematic pipes are embedded in the concrete floor – so, how to repair such a problem?  Initial repair options included: removal of the concrete floor to replace the pipes – or replace the system with a heat pump in each hall.  After seeking professional advice from outside consultants and spending time evaluating the various solutions, Don and the Sisters, have determined the best way to proceed. 

HOW CAN I HELP?

On August 1^st work began on the HVAC project at the Retreat house, with the ultimate goal being to install a new heating and cooling system to serve all 40 retreat rooms.  Phase one of a three phase project began under the direction of project manager Don Rolison serving as liaison to the architect, general contractor, HVAC contractor, plumber, electrical, fire alarm and other entities involved with the project.

During Phase One of the HVAC Project all retreat rooms and retreat house hallways beyond the gift shop were closed in order for the work to begin.

Phase One:

• Remove: WiFi cables and access point antenna’s, old thermostat cables, all Fire Exit Signs, page system speaker and wire, all ceiling lights and all ceilings in main hall and all side halls
• Build: a new wall for electrical panel, two-hour fire wall between lobby and main hall, access doors in room hall ceilings for future equipment installation, concrete forms outside each hall to support heat pump installation
• Install: electrical conduit for all new lighting and heat pumps outside
• Mount: electrical panel and install feed cable from boiler room

Phase Two:

• Complete: all electrical rough in and get inspection
• Install: new hall lighting, new exits signs, new refrigerant lines to each room and to heat pumps on exterior of building, sheet rock ceiling
• Build: new soffits in main hall to cover all electrical and plumbing
• Paint ceiling & Clear out all construction material & Prep main hall for upcoming retreat

Phase Three:

• Install: heat exchange units in Hall Attic space, room units and thermostats, VRF (variable refrigerant flow) units & Schedule final inspection

These photos show some of the initial work at the Retreat House and provide a glimpse at what the new units in each room and down each hall will look like.

How it works - a simple map from outside each hall to each room

Each room will have its own unit to heat/cool.

GOOD NEWS - Progress being made
In September PGE completed phase one of the HVAC project power upgrade & all construction permits were issued!