Chippewa Nature Center Expansion

Help give sustainability a new home Chippewa Nature Center Visitor Center Expansion


July 6, 2009 Move-in!

July 6, 2009 Newly stained floors!	May 4, 2009 This empty classroom will soon be filled with kid-size furniture and bustling with young preschoolers.	May 4, 2009 The hallway windows are all installed!

May 4, 2009 A view towards the kitchen and restroom. The outer door is still needed, but this is close to a completed view!	May 1, 2009 Harbron Electric puts the final touches on the electrical system.	May 1, 2009 Careful measurements were made before installing this door on the mezzanine level mechanical room.

May 1, 2009 A clear coat finish goes on the window frames before the glass is installed.	April 27, 2009 The front porch will soon be complete.	April 27, 2009 Nowak Cabinets installed the cabinetry including the “book nook” shown here. The shelf on the bottom cabinets is made of wood salvaged from the Visitor Center auditorium.

April 23, 2009 Work begins on the pavilion entry to Arbury Trail and the Preschool entrance.	April 23, 2009 A peek inside the mechanical room - the same room as in the March 30 photo!	April 23, 2009 There’s lots and lots of electrical work being done.

April 23, 2009 The first paint is on the wall as other work continues.	April 23, 2009 A view from just inside the front door of the preschool looking towards the back door.	April 23, 2009 The power transformer for the preschool and remodeled Visitor Center is now in its new location.

April 22, 2009 The dual flush toilets are installed (seats to come). That’s right - you can choose the amount of water needed for the flush!	April 22, 2009 Steady hands bring a beautiful finish to the hardware throughout the building.	April 21, 2009 Work continues on connecting the water line to the preschool.

April 21, 2009 Work continues on connecting the water line to the preschool.	April 20, 2009 Hatfield Construction prepares to install the exterior door on the back porch.	April 20, 2009 The view from inside the southern classroom looking towards Arbury Pond.

April 20, 2009 Tri City Custom Tile installs tile in the preschool classrooms.	April 17, 2009 Work begins on the boardwalk connecting Arbury Trail to the preschool entrance.	April 15, 2009 Drywall work is well underway.

April 14, 2009 Hatfield Construction begins work on the boardwalks on the path connecting the parking lot to the preschool.	April 14, 2009 Norway spruce harvested from CNC property is the ceiling finish for the preschool classrooms.	April 8, 2009 A view of Nature Preschool across Arbury Pond.

April 6, 2009 The tile is being installed in the preschool restrooms.	April 1, 2009 A view from inside the front entry towards the back door.	March 30, 2009 The top of the clerestory is now the home of 5 solar panels for the domestic hot water system.

March 30, 2009 Soon to be hidden behind the mechanical room walls is the 535 gallon storage tank for the radiant heating system.	March 24, 2009 The finished concrete floor will have a colored stain to provide color and depth to the space.	March 24, 2009 The concrete floor is poured in the Nature Preschool.

March 23, 2009 Fisher Contracting installs the water main by the entrance to the Visitor Center parking lot.	March 19, 2009 Answer Heating & Cooling installs floor loops for the radiant heating and cooling system.	March 19, 2009 Answer Heating & Cooling installs floor loops for the radiant heating and cooling system.

March 16, 2009 It’s been great weather for roofing! The traditional shingles are being installed on the north portion of the preschool. The south side roof will have photovoltaic shingles installed.	March 4, 2009 The siding installation continues, wrapping around the west side of the building.	March 3, 2009 Ash siding is being installed on the exterior of the preschool. The ash has gone through a unique kiln drying process that makes it extremely resistant to rot, while darkening it to a rich brown color.

February 20, 2009 Let there be light! The "H" windows, designed to balance daylighting and energy efficiency, are being installed.	February 13, 2009 A boom lifts the roof onto Nature Preschool. Raising the Roof Video Need Quicktime to view?	February 13, 2009 The very top of the preschool roof is constructed on the ground before being installed.


February 9, 2009 The Nature Preschool is closed-in and wrapped allowing contractors to install temporary heat so the installation of the plumbing and geothermal floor loops can proceed.	February 3, 2009 The crane lifts the first roof structural insulated panel (SIP) onto the Nature Preschool roof.	February 2, 2009 The Nature Preschool beams and lower structural insulated panels (SIPs) are in place. Here the window framing is being installed, and will soon be followed by roof SIPs. back to top


January 27, 2009 Nature Preschool	January 27, 2009 Structural insulated panels (SIPs) for the Nature Preschool building are installed.	January 26, 2009 The glue laminated beams seen here provide the skeleton of the Nature Preschool building. back to top


January 24, 2009 Nature Preschool teachers Erin Soper, Shannon McGinnis and Steve Frisbee pose in front of their soon-to-be classrooms.	January 23, 2009 Contractors from throughout the Saginaw Valley are working together to build the Nature Preschool. Preparing the beams for installation is Scott from Hatfield Construction of Midland.	January 21, 2009 The first beam is in place! There will be close to 40 glue laminated beams that will provide the skeleton for the building. back to top


January 8, 2009 Snow and ice are making things interesting on the construction site. Here the worker is breaking up frozen ground for plumbing to be placed. The blue pipes are serving as above-snow makers for the pier locations.	December 22, 2008 Helger Construction works on the Nature Preschool footings and foundations.	December 17, 2008 Fisher Contracting installs the storm drain. back to top



December 8, 2008 The first step in constructing the preschool was the placement and pouring of footings which transmit the load of the building to the soil.	November 21, 2008 Rowe, Inc. was involved early in the project to survey the site.	September 11, 2008 Chippewa Nature Center breaks ground on the Visitor Center expansion. back to top