Work in Gaylord campus gyms seen to save energy
June 21st, 2006Energy savings appear to be a priority for the Sibley East School District.
The Board of Education, Monday night, approved interior and exterior insulation work in the Gaylord gymnasium and lighting replacement in the middle and large gymnasiums at Gaylord.
The Board of Education accepted proposals totaling $31,490 from Northern Insulation, Gibbon, for work on the interior and exterior gymnasium walls. Cement board will be used on the exterior and spray insulation will be installed by the beams. Exterior work and part of the interior work will be completed this year, while next year, Sibley East plans to complete the interior work and the roof.
The cement board will be placed up the ramp and in the racket ball area, but not on the east and west walls.
Superintendent John Langen-brunner and members of the facilities committee stated that earlier this spring, they had viewed insulating material at a building in Eau Claire, WI, but were uncomfortable with the look of that material so they sought other proposals.
Board member Brian Asmus said that he was concerned about the appearance of the gymnasium after this project.
Langenbrunner described the cement board “like orange peel on the walls.”
The district is concerned with the gymnasium because water is getting into the block of the gym and the block is starting to break away, Langenbrunner said.
The Board of Education also chose to take advantage of the availability of health and safety levy dollars to replace metal halide bulbs.
According to a memo from the Minnesota Department of Education, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently learned that more than 100 people were exposed to short-wave ultraviolet radiation from a broken mercury vapor light bulb at a high school gym. 18 people went to the hospital with severe eye and skin burns. Personnel investigating the event confirmed that a broken, non self-extinguishing “R” type metal halide bulb caused the injuries.
The Minnesota Department of Education will allow health and safety revenue to fund both abatement of the hazard and a reasonable lighting replacement cost.
A quote of $16,200 was accepted from McGuire Electric in Gaylord for the project, which will involve installing 44 T-bay light fixtures in the two gymnasiums.
Sibley East will quickly realize repayment in energy savings for the projects, similar to the Arlington gymnasium lighting project, Langenbrunner said. Sibley East will receive the health and safety funds for this project in one year, Langenbrunner said.
