Cooling Tower Project Overview
Crescent Gate, a 3-story, 57-unit condominium complex for residents aged 55+, located in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, was facing a significant issue with its nearly 20-year-old galvanized metal cooling tower. Built in 2006, the equipment had served its purpose well, but by early 2024, the property manager and the board of trustees knew that the aging tower needed attention. A cooling tower failure during the summer months would lead to discomfort and potential health risks for the residents.
Initial Cooling Tower Assessment
In late 2023, the property manager contacted the manufacturer’s representative of the old cooling tower for an assessment. Following their recommendation, water testing was conducted to evaluate the condition of the system. The test results made it clear that repairs were not sufficient, and a complete replacement was necessary.
The Crescent Gate team realized they needed to replace the system and a professional project manager to ensure a seamless process. By February 2024, knowing the cooling season was fast approaching, the team prepared a request for proposal (RFP) and met with three vendors to obtain quotes.
Vendor Selection
When LC Anderson (LCA) visited the site to evaluate the system and discuss the scope of work, they identified an additional issue: a drainpipe from the cooling tower was improperly expelling water into the woods behind the facility. While not part of the original RFP, this situation was not up to current code, so reconfiguring the pipe to drain into the town sewer was added to the project scope. This attention to detail impressed the board and property management.
After several weeks of review and vendor meetings, the board selected LC Anderson for the project. The decision was largely influenced by LCA’s thorough understanding of the project and their ability to manage all aspects of the project. The Crescent Gate board felt confident that LCA could complete the project efficiently and prevent disruptions during the critical summer cooling period.
Project Execution
Once selected, LCA immediately ordered the necessary equipment, which had a lead time of six weeks. They stayed in close communication with the Crescent Gate team, ensuring that once the equipment arrived, they could start the project without delay.
Replacing a cooling tower is a complex process involving multiple phases: site preparation, dismantling the old tower, installing a new tower base and support structure, positioning the new tower, connecting water and electrical lines, installing internal components like fill and drift eliminators, and conducting final testing and adjustments. All of this needed to be completed while maintaining strict safety measures and ensuring compliance with local regulations.
LCA also hired and managed the necessary subcontractors, including a crane operator, electricians, piping specialists, and excavation crews. The project was meticulously coordinated to stay on schedule, and despite the complexity, the cooling tower was fully operational within just one week.
Client Satisfaction
The board and residents at Crescent Gate were thrilled with the outcome. Janet Read, President of the Board of Directors, praised LC Anderson’s professionalism:
“LC Anderson is one of the most professional, competent, and trustworthy companies that I have worked with. They even fixed a leaking pipe that was completely out of scope, having nothing to do with the cooling tower, and would have flooded the entire first floor. Everything happened when the project manager said it would, they answered all our questions, and their follow-through was awesome.”
Conclusion: The Crescent Gate cooling tower replacement was a success thanks to LC Anderson’s professional, experienced, and knowledgeable crew, project management expertise, attention to detail, and dedication to client satisfaction. By addressing both the equipment replacement and the leaking pipe, LCA demonstrated their commitment to delivering beyond expectations.
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