Carl Walker Construction (CWC) has completed a $4.3 million contract with Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington, PA, for a three-level parking structure. The new structure contains about 261 spaces to accommodate those visiting Falling Rock, the new upscale clubhouse and 41-room hotel and resort at the 18th hole of Mystic Rock Golf Course. The project also included occupied space at the upper level to accommodate media events and conference space for the hotel.According to Len Tsupros, project manager for CWC, the parking structure had to be completed in time to accommodate the many golfers and fans that were to attend the PGA Tour 84 Lumber Classic from Sept. 23 to Sept. 26.
“This construction project presented us an extremely fast-track schedule [90 days], ” Tsupros said. “We planned the schedule very precisely, taking into account who was to be involved in each step of the process, weekend hours, and so on.”
The parking structure provides 74,936 square feet of parking area and is constructed of cast-in-place, post-tensioned concrete decks supported by a steel frame. A deep foundation system was built utilizing caissons.
The top parking level is covered with a plaza deck, where CWC constructed an integral shell structure, including a structural frame and metal roof deck. This shell provides another 19,000 square feet for a media center, where television and press interviews with golfers would take place, and a multifunctional commercial space.
The parking structure was built into a hillside, with the plaza level about equal in elevation to the surrounding grade elevation of the clubhouse complex. Two hydraulic elevators and two metal stairs are included, each housed within masonry enclosures. The enclosures were covered with temporary roofs to enable immediate installation of the elevators/stairs.
The project was constructed in accordance with drawings prepared by Churches Consulting Engineers. Chuck Churches, president of the Pittsburgh-based engineering design firm, noted that the garage is rather unusual in that it would be mostly concealed underground. “The real challenge, however, was the time frame,” he said.
“To save time, certain operations were carried out concurrently, rather than sequentially,” explained Tsupros. “For instance, the structural shell was constructed concurrently with the parking levels below, and received concrete first, so that finishing of the enclosed area could proceed while the parking decks were being built below.”
Nemacolin, which is ranked as “One of the Top Ten Golf Resorts” by Conde Nast Traveler, opened its new course, Mystic Rock, a few years ago. It spans acres of spectacular Pennsylvania landscape, with natural rock outcroppings, challenging greens, wide expanses of desert-like bunkers and lakes.
Falling Rock, which opened on Aug. 1, is a full-service hotel, clubhouse and golf shop, featuring 42 guestrooms and suites; 24-hour butler service; an executive boardroom; full-service men’s and ladies’ locker facilities; the Aqueous restaurant and Amber Lounge with an adjacent patio; and an infinity pool with private cabanas. Falling Rock, a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired design, epitomizes a seamless blend of natural materials, superb craftsmanship, comfort and luxury.
Dave Monroe is President of the Carl Walker Construction Group. He can be reached at (412) 490-2924.
