Westfield State University Baseball Fields

• Location, Client, & Date

  Westfield, MA

  Westfield State University

  September 2016

• Program

  Multiple projects as a “house doctor” for Westfield State University, each including a study:

  • Wilson Hall Computer Labs and Psychology Testing Suite mechanical upgrades with interior renovations and envelope work

  • Campus-wide hot water system replacement

  • Baseball and softball infield and dugouts

  • Baseball and softball grandstands, light towers, and media box

• Design

  Projects at Westfield State University focus on two main areas: infrastructure HVAC and hot water upgrades, and ball field improvements.

  A DCAMM-certified study helped WSU determine that new HVAC equipment for Wilson Hall would allow the steam plant to be shut down during summer months, yielding significant savings campus-wide. As a consequence of shutting down the WSU steam plant in summer, the campus hot water system is overhauled, replacing antiquated steam-fired tanks with stand-alone gas-fired tanks across five separate campus buildings.

  After providing a master plan for baseball and softball, funding for improvements leads to phased construction: Phase 1 - Four new dugouts constructed and the baseball infield entirely rebuilt; Phase 2 - New accessible grandstands, light towers, and media box. The design enhances vantage of the fields for fans and site lines for players.

  All contracts were executed below approved budgets and completed on time.

  Overall Construction Cost Control

  Change orders due to contract documents totaled less than 1% of the contract value. This change order rate, well below the standard of care in architecture, springs from good documentation and effective construction administration. Westfield State initiated betterments, taking advantage of under-budget bids and a buyer’s market for construction.