Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - Things are beginning to return to normal for University of Wisconsin-Platteville faculty and staff with offices in Pioneer Tower. After three months of construction, renovation of the building is now finished.

"This summer's Pioneer Tower renovation project has gone extremely well. I know a lot of people were worried that we would not be able to move back in before the start of classes this fall, but thanks to the hard work of a whole lot of people, the construction is complete," said Duane Ford, dean, College of Business, Industry, Life Science and Agriculture (BILSA). "The renovated tower will be a much better and more comfortable place to work."

Renovation was needed to replace the building's existing heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. While they were at it, work crews also replaced windows and ceiling tiles and made slight modifications to the fire alarm system. The existing HVAC system had been installed in the 1960s and was no longer cost effective.

"We were looking for a much more efficient system in that regard," said Dick Klawiter, assistant dean, College of BILSA. "We're saving money on heat. Everyone should benefit, tax payers as well."

The three-month construction project forced faculty and staff members out of their offices for the summer. Working in concert with UWP Facilities Management, Klawiter coordinated efforts to move the faculty and staff out of the building, an effort dubbed the Pioneer Tower "bug-out." Temporary offices for College of BILSA faculty and staff offices were set up in Russell and Gardner Halls for the duration of the summer.

"Everybody cooperated well. [Facilities management personnel] were so pleased with the cooperation of everybody in moving things out," Klawiter said. "Nobody was happy about this, but everybody understood this had to be done."

UWP Facilities Management staff were able to move furniture and equipment back in beginning Aug. 13, and faculty were able to move back into their offices beginning Aug. 19, said Keri Pustina, project manager, UWP Facilities Management. Construction crews recognized the importance of the strict timetable, Klawiter said, and actually worked ahead of schedule.

"Hats off to the contractors and subcontractors for really understanding our needs and concerns," he said.

"Everything was perfect. Everybody went the extra mile to make sure we met the deadline," said Jim Valaskey, director, UWP Facilities Management. "As a liaison between us (UWP Facilities Management) and the faculty members, Dick Klawiter did an excellent job to make sure everything went together."

"I and everyone who works in the tower owes considerable thanks for a job very well done to the construction companies; to BILSA's Assistant Dean Richard Klawiter; to UWP's Office of Information Technology, most particularly Tom Covert and Kelli Kleindorfer; and especially to the men and women of the UWP Physical Plant under the direction of Director Jim Valaskey," Ford said. "I personally thank all the people who have offices in Pioneer Tower. They had to move to alternative workspaces this summer, but as far as I can tell their work did not suffer a bit despite the disruption."

Most faculty and staff offices have been moved back into Pioneer Tower in preparation for fall classes. The College of BILSA Dean's Office will be moved back into the tower the second week of September.

"It will be mighty fine to be 'home' again," Ford said.

Contact: Jim Valaskey, director, UWP Facilities Management, 608-342-1177, valaskey@uwplatt.edu

Prepared by: Dan Lehnherr, UWP Public Relations, 608-342-1194, lehnherd@uwplatt.edu