Waiting for The Go

 In the 1940, the Allies awaited a date for the invasion of Europe. In 1944, preparations had been finalized and the invasion was scheduled for June 5. Poor weather set in, and D-Day shifted to June 6. In summer 2024, the Kendal Board approved the budget for the Kendal’s Refresh, and we started preparations for Kendal’s own D-Day for day construction to start: C-Day.

So, what’s the delay, already?! 

In the fall, we received the architect’s plan. Great! The plans were presented to the community. And then we waited—for resident responses. We scheduled resident small-group sessions and heard comments and suggestions. And then we waited—for adjustments by the architects. And then we waited—for bids to go out. Which means the bids went out during the holidays. And then we waited for new schedules. And, so, we’ve waited.  

Now, after all that waiting, we have a C-Day date! Sort of. Like D-Day, C-Day is enthusiastically expected for the first part of June. (More likely than not. Just as with the D-Day invasion.) Maybe. Just as with any process of building or rebuilding, something just might—once again—throw us off a bit. Right now, we are awaiting what is called the Long Lead/Early Release GMP (which stands for Guaranteed Maximum Price contract) authorization. At that point, we commit to subcontractors, and the construction company draws up its process and gets approvals in order to begin ordering the long-lead materials. If your response to that was “Huh?”, here’s the definition of a long-lead material: “. . . long lead items are typically complex goods with many steps in the procurement process, and, therefore, need to be ordered well in advance.” So, there could be more waiting involved.

The key to this is that the Guaranteed Maximum Price contract guarantees that sub-contractors cannot come back during the building process and say, “Oops. We goofed. We need more.” So, they really, really want to get it right. And that takes time we, at Kendal, have no control over.

Looking forward, just as there are clear signs that spring is on the way, there will be clear signs that C-Day is approaching. One is that, on April 28, Willy — our Senior Project Superintendent will be at Kendal on the Terrace level by the loading dock. We were first introduced to him at the June 28, 2023 Construction Project meeting in the Gathering Room. He is our first robin of spring.

At that point preparation for construction will begin. But don’t get too excited: this is the prep work. Why prep work? The answer is simple: So that it is safe to live at Kendal while the actual construction work proceeds. “Temp” (for “temporary”) is the go-to word during this phase. Temp Walls will be established on the T level so that residents and staff can get to the Fitness Center without walking through a construction zone with all its many hazards. This happens from in early May. After that, Temp Walls will be built at the Temp Kitchen site (the PDR) in late May.

And about ten days later: C-Day!