PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Hawaii turned over the newest military Child Development Center (CDC) in the state to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) Morale, Welfare and Recreation Jan. 17.
"We are extremely happy to accept this new structure and begin the installation of furniture and other items needed prior to opening a highly anticipated addition to our CDCs for Navy and Air Force military families," said Al Worley, facilities and projects manager JBPHH Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR).
NAVFAC Pacific awarded the design/build $18.9 million contract to Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company Inc. Sept. 29, 2009. NAVFAC Hawaii executed and administered the project. A ground breaking ceremony was held June 4, 2010 at the site near Center Drive, between Nimitz and Makalapa Gates to JBPHH and the new facility began to take shape.
"This project brought Navy and contractor personnel into a very close working relationship that enabled us to not only build one of the largest Child Development Centers in the nation, but also include a multitude of sustainability innovations, potentially achieving the first Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) Platinum facility on a military base in Hawaii," said Lt.j.g. Christopher Hoggan, project manager NAVFAC Hawaii.
LEED is an internationally-recognized "green" building certification system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. It has a point-based rating system which offers four certification levels for new construction, certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Each level corresponds to the number of credits accrued in five "green" design categories: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources and indoor environmental quality.
"Initially, our goal for this facility was LEED Silver," said Lt.j.g. Hoggan. "With additional sustainability and energy efficient design elements, material reuse, and other innovations identified after award, the project began moving towards LEED Gold."
Then during the early construction phase of the contract, NAVFAC Hawaii presented the contractor with an opportunity to add "energy enhancements" to include advanced metering, conversion to gas appliances, and more rooftop integrated thin film photovoltaic panels to be placed on new carport structures which would balance the facility's energy use and help it function as a "net zero" building when opened.
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus laid out five aggressive energy goals in October 2009 to improve energy security and efficiency afloat and ashore, increase our energy independence, and help lead the nation toward a clean energy economy.
The Pearl Harbor CDC is constructed of reinforced concrete masonry walls, interior medal studs, and steel roof framing. It has 24 classrooms for infants, pre-toddlers, toddlers, and preschoolers which enclose a large grass courtyard area with multiple age-appropriate play areas. In addition, the facility includes a full kitchen, laundry room, toilet facilities, storage and administrative spaces plus all supporting items such as exterior playground equipment, tension fabric structures, storage, fencing, gates, controlled parking, controlled access, and a covered drop off/pick up area.
"Construction of this large CDC progressed well from start to finish and was ahead of schedule during much of the project," said Lt.j.g. Hoggan. "NAVFAC Hawaii and contractor personnel set up a great working relationship that resulted in a wonderful addition to Navy and Air Force child care facilities in Hawaii."
According to JBPHH's MWR director, the facility is expected to be open for business in late March.
"Currently there are seven CDCs and 37 Child Development Homes that accommodate 586 children, said Frank Faria, MWR director, JBPHH. "With the opening of the new one on Center Drive in March 2012, Wahiawa in March 2012, and Ford Island in May 2012, an additional 680 quality child care spaces will become available for Navy and Air Force families."
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