It’s Gonna Be a Refreshing Summer

And, thus, we have begun! Building the temporary kitchen is underway. Check. Getting the steel up for the Community Room has happened. Check. The temporary protection walls between the pool and the Fitness Center have gone up. Check. The back wall of the pool area has come down. Check.

So, what’s happening this summer? To find out we spoke to Willard Norton (aka Willie), the Senior Project Superintendent of the KoH Refresh Project. And here’s what we learned.

This Summer: Some Ups, Some Downs

The basic goals of the summer are to get everything that has exposure to the outside closed in, ready for the more detailed interior work that happens in the autumn and winter. That means there will be both demolition (down) and building (up).

The new four-season room beyond the pool will get closed in now that the exterior wall has pretty much come down. The terrace tiles will come up. But don’t worry: tiles will go down again once the room has been constructed. Also on the T-level, temporary protective walls will go up in the pool and locker room area as changes start happening to the Fitness Center and the locker rooms. Steel walls will start coming in down on T-level to reshape that area. And, later on, temporary walls will go up around the office and community-room area Avenue des Artists.  

What About the Walls with Windows? 

Oh, yeah. There will be windows in temporary wall when there’s something to look at. But sometimes that something will be actual walls that have gone up. Want to watch a wall? Willie has promised to put the windowed temporary walls up when there is actually something to watch. And he has kindly offered to take photos of cool stuff (our language, not his) as it happens in areas we can’t peer into. Stay tuned for updates on the Residents Website.

For fans of the construction in what will become the new Community Room on C-level, the pouring of cement for the flooring will commence shortly. And, yes, the curtains will come down so we can watch. Why did they go up in the first place? While welding of the steel was going on, they went up to protect all those curious sets of eyes (attached to both Kendal residents and staff) peering every day through the glass to watch to cool stuff happening. Those welding torches throw a light that can damage sight even from what seems like a distance. But, alas, even those good times will come to an end, as temporary protective walls go up on C-level to accommodate construction from bridge to bridge on the Rue des Artists.  

What’s Happening with the Temporary Kitchen?

Meanwhile, the temporary kitchen—now underway for several weeks—will continue, as the PDR takes on new flooring, venting, access to water, walls, lighting, cabinetry, and all those systems needed for turning it into a kitchen.

Hey, Sometimes I don’t See Those Guys for Days

You can tell from the noises coming from behind the walls that the temporary kitchen is under construction. And we often see hard-hatted, safety-vested guys coming and going. But sometimes it seems as if the whole thing has come to a screeching halt. While it may look like that here, think duck: serene on top of the water, paddling like hell underneath. In terms of the Refresh, the paddling is going on off-campus as steel supports and other materials are being prepared. Another analogy: prep-work. How many times do you read a recipe that says, “Only takes 20 minutes!” But the authors seem to forget the prep work: the cutting and chopping and mixing and stirring. The prep-work is often off stage.

Plus, the Refresh Project is now in what’s called The Submittal Process.

What’s on Earth Is That?

Construction submittals are essentially documents and samples that contractors provide to the design team to demonstrate that their proposed materials, products, and installation methods align with the project’s specifications.

These can include:

Shop drawings: Detailed drawings showing how components will be fabricated and installed.

Product data: Manufacturer specifications, data sheets, and cut sheets for materials and equipment.

Material samples: Physical samples of materials like paint, flooring, or fabrics.

Mockups: Small-scale models or examples of a particular construction element.

Technical documents: Installation instructions, warranties, and other relevant paperwork.

Submittals play a vital role in the construction process by:

Ensuring Compliance: They verify that all materials and methods meet the project's design and contract requirements.

Facilitating Communication: They serve as a formal communication channel between contractors and the design team.

Preventing Errors and Delays: By identifying potential issues early on, they help avoid costly mistakes and delays during construction.

Improving Quality Control: They act as a quality control mechanism, ensuring that the final product meets the specified standards.

Plus, there are a lot of different inspections by the village and/or a third party as different aspects of the project are put in place. As for the temporary kitchen, there’s only enough room in there for one company to work at a time (remember: venting, water access/ plumbing, electricity, flooring, etc.), so there could be a day or two between contractors.

And all that takes time. Just be patient. The project is moving forward. You’ll see more of the guys on campus soon.

So, What’s This Willie Guy Like?

Well. He’s a big man. Tall and with a Paul Bunyan physique. And, boy, does he know what he’s doing. Not a shirt-and-tie kind of fellow, Willie has the kind of grasp of his industry—understanding of construction’s purpose, process, and people—that surgeons would recognize in their own. Ask him a question, you not only get an answer, but an understanding of a lot more about how a building goes up or comes down.

The proud papa of four—three girls, one boy, all adults—he’s also the grandfather of seven, ranging in ages from 4 to 14. Raised in the small town of Dansville, NY—where Clara Barton lived and founded the American Red Cross—just south of Rochester (named for founder Nathaniel Rochester, who, actually, lived in Dansville—go figure), Willie’s dad was a chef in the military, then in a string of restaurants. And always a DIY kind of guy. That’s how Willie became interested in how things are put together, and the skills needed to actually put them together. And he knew from an early age that that was his calling.

After high school and two-years of a training program in the building trades, Willie began his career at Pike Construction—our Refresh construction company—and spent 10 years building Walmarts all over the eastern seaboard. With young children at home, he switched to working in the New York area with Pike so he could be there to be a daddy. Right now, he’s living in Peekskill, but will be moving soon closer to Sleepy Hollow.  

Willie and his crew are now members of the Kendal community, albeit temporary members. You’ll find them in the elevators, hallways, the Bistro, and out on the grounds. They’re easy to talk to and joke with. So, if you see a guy in a hard hat and bright-yellow safety vest, welcome him—just as you would any new Kendal residents. We may be under construction, but it’s the Kendal way.