Cost estimates come back for mechanical system replacements at schools
Nov. 21—The replacement of mechanical systems at three schools in the district is estimated to cost about $3.96 million, engineers with ISG Inc. presented to the Albert Lea school board Monday.
That includes the steam boiler system at Southwest Middle School, the hot water boiler system at Lakeview Elementary School and the pool heater and air handler replacement at Albert Lea High School.
Bob Mickelson and Steve Schlaak with ISG presented what will be needed with each of the projects and said that when the new systems are installed, the district will have much more efficient systems in place.
Two of the units with the steam boiler system at Southwest Middle School are from 1957, and two of the units with the hot water boiler system at Lakeview Elementary School are from 1961. The pool dehumidification unit and pool boiler/heater at Albert Lea High School were installed in 2000.
Assistant Director of Finance and Operations Paul Durbahn said at a previous meeting the district has gotten by with the units thus far but it is becoming challenging to repair and replace parts. The boilers at both Southwest and Lakeview are original to their schools and beyond their life expectancy.
Durbahn said the project will have no impact on the district levy and noted that the district will go out for maintenance bonds that will be paid for through long-term facility maintenance funds.
Schlaak said at Southwest, the project calls for demolishing the two inefficient large boilers and replacing them with four hydronic boilers and new pumps. There will also be some repiping needed.
He said this would take a system that is about 70% efficient now and replace it with one that is 94% to 96% efficient. It would cost about $1.14 million.
The firm also provided a structural evaluation of the roof over the boiler room at Southwest and is discussing what to do to waterproof the space. Probable cost for that area was listed at about $371,400.
At Lakeview Elementary, the project calls for removing the existing boilers and pumps and installing three new hydronic boilers and pumps, as well as repiping the boiler room to tie into the system. Cost would be an estimated $618,000.
The high school pool heater and air handler replacement are estimated to cost about $1.32 million.
Schlaak said if approved the boilers and pool heater could be replaced next summer, while the air handler has a longer lead time.
The projects will come before the board for a vote in December.
Superintendent Ron Wagner thanked the team for presenting the information and noted the importance of long-term support for the district's buildings.
