The Evelyn Anderson House named in memory of our beloved Cook Evelyn

The Fitts Meeting Room

Evelyn Anderson House under construction

Evelyn Anderson House Dedication Ceremony October 11, 2014

News about the new Evelyn Anderson building

News from Unirondack

Many years ago when Joyce Gilbert was a member of the Unirondack Board of Directors, there were plans developed for a new building to be called Unirondack House. The hope at the time was that the building would provide needed heated spaces so that Unirondack could better serve people in the cool

Adirondack fall and spring months. As often happens in UU communities, a combination of factors including other pressing needs came to the fore and the project did not come to fruition.

Then, just prior to the summer of 2012, Unirondack was told by the NYS Health Department that the showerhouse at camp was beyond the point where yearly repairs were sufficient for the building to continue to be approved for occupancy. The building was going to need major renovation.

In the fall of 2012, under the leadership of Unirondack Board President Devin Hollands, a plan was developed to renovate the showerhouse and simultaneously meet the need for more heated housing in the spring and fall. The plan called for the building to provide heat, updated showers, additional bedrooms for fall and spring campers, a large bunk room to meet the need for staff days-off quarters in the summer, a meeting room for campers, and more handicap accessible bathrooms. To get the project

off the ground a grant application was made to the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock Large Grants Program and in the spring of 2013 a $100,000 grant from the congregation allowed the work to begin.

Since then, it has been a frenetic time for Unirondack: a combination of intensive fund raising, building into the depths of December, and addressing many unanticipated hurdles. The support from many old and new friends of Unirondack has been nothing short of miraculous. A campaign to name the building for Evelyn Anderson, the beloved long-time cook at Unirondack, has been successful and the opening of Evelyn Anderson House is anticipated in June of this year.

The renovation of the showerhouse caps off several years of major infrastructure improvements at Unirondack, including the building of the Stevens Performing Arts Pavilion next to the lake, the ongoing renovation of the boathouse/artshop, the installation of new windows and sprucing up of the Gilman dining hall, the renovation of Chadwick into a gorgeous heated cabin sleeping up to 16 people, installation of wood floors in the lodge, and adding a meeting room onto Sophia Fahs. The major work is in addition to smaller maintenance projects including building a new staircase to the lower field, putting a new roof on Overlook, replacing a septic tank, and replacing the retaining wall along the entire road

from Gilman to the parking lot.

Along with all these infrastructure improvements, Unirondack has also been moving forward programmatically and in building for the future. The camp has been filled to overflowing with youth and family campers each summer, has served as a retreat for close to 300 members of UU congregations each fall, and has continued to offer weekend programs each spring. In addition, the Legacy Foundation capital campaign is ongoing, moving steadily forward in its goal of raising $1,000,000 to insure that Unirondack is here for our children and our children’s children. Over $250,000 has been pledged and donated to date and with all of your help there is no doubt the campaign will meet its goal.

If you have not been involved in Unirondack recently, now is the time to sign your child or family up.

Proposal for Funding from Shelter Rock  2013

Devin Hollands <devinhollands@gmail.com>Tue, Mar 12, 2013, 1:24 PM

ITEMS:

   Exit fire stairway..  the grade in the back is 3-4' lower so stair might need to wrap or be steeper to hit grade.

DAN -  new drawings  and my comments to chris:

    Attic floor space - we were talking about putting floor over the open area  -open to below- area.. 

        also roof pitch still looks shallow to get head room..

second floor emergency door....  should swing of we changed.. so door opens and you go down the stairs..   and people coming from 3rd floor would be able to get by door easier rather than pulling it back to close it.. they could just push it closed..--

Devin Hollands

phil lewin <flipglen@cogeco.ca>Mar 13, 2013, 7:40 PM

to leaders, me

Finally had a chance to review. I want an engineer to evaluate the site and look at the foundation plan to determine if it is feasible.

In other words, I'm still saying the same old thing.

Phil

Devin Hollands <devinhollands@gmail.com>Mar 13, 2013, 11:59 PM

to phil, leaders

I had meeting here with Chris and he had full set of plans that we reviewed and made modifications to.   He will include plan for duct work that the heating guy can use as a guide.  Furnace will go in a closet area on the second floor  with heat runs going down  the hallway  overhead for 2nd floor/attic  and down under floor for first floor and shower house...

New footers on front and back of showerhouse  are each 2'4" square and Carry the entire load of new structure with center points down the middle - poured concrete in the block walls (end walls and middle wall on center of building)...   So with the new framing you could remove the existing cement showerhouse and the building would stand on the new posts and footers.

  EACH 2'4" footer can support 5.5 TONS..  (2000 pounds per square foot is capacity of soil -  a footer of this size is 5.4 cubic feet  x 2,000lbs)   

    there are 4 of these on the front and 4 on the back  with 3 beefed up points down the middle of the building.................

and realize these footers and posts are a REDUNDANT design.. as the existing Block structure could hold the entire building as is.  We are adding the 44 TONS of footer capacity just because we are not sure about existing footers yet..

In fact WHEN we dig we will expose the footers and at that point Chris would know what is there and some elements can be modified if the Footer is adequate as is...

It is no small fee we are paying the professional to do this work and stamp these plans, we are not sketching on the back of a napkin at this point.  We have serious plans and the calculations to assure it stays as is are done.

One option Chris mentioned for the old shower house is to put in the new plumbing as needed punching few holes here and there to connect it.. and then pouring a NEW 4" concrete floor OVER the existing floor...   This is a neat idea.

Chris is now in contact with superior walls - so they can iron out the details..  our basement is a little unique as we are connecting to a cement slap.. and we have a door cut in the back side...  (there will be one window in the back of basement also)

So as I explained due to the showerhouse being on a slap with footer we need to start the new basement walls 4' away  so they footer pressure is not pushing on the new walls...

so the new basement is dropped in 4' way from the existing shower house..    the sand between these is capped with a cement floor with metal connection between existing and the new walls so it is tied together..  The first floor of addition Spans over the 4' gap.. so from inside or outside you would not know the basement is away...

   hard to explain but we have it figured out...

Of course the more of these details we get into the more things add to the cost...  so this will take every bit of Dan's cash management and Mike's fund raising to pull together...

dh--

Devin Hollands

Camp Unirondack <director@unirondack.org>Mar 14, 2013, 5:12 AM

to me, phil, leaders

Hi Devin-

Thank you for all your incredible hard work on this and the clarity with which you have explained everything. Your statements about the costs associated with Chris's work do raise concerns for me. I think we must be conscious every step of the way in a project of this magnitude about cost containment. Even is we get the grant from Shelter Rock I am estimating (based on the figures you have supplied to date) that we will need to fund between $50 and $100,000 of cost our of other monies, and we only have $50,000 at present that I can see. Please get clarification as soon as you can from Chris and Superior about those costs so we can begin to get a picture of what the cost is shaping up to be. I already heard back from Pete that the workers he was hoping to hire for $15 an hour demanded $25. He is looking at other options but it brought to mind for me that choices will have to be made all along the way. 

Has Chris indicated what we should do to address Phil's concern about the footers on the back wall on  the top of the hill? MY impression from my conversation with Loraine's dad (who is an engineer) is that the soil should be tested in some way to determine what the hill can support. Unless Chris is confident that the plan he has developed eliminates that need because of how it is engineered? Please clarify.

We should also talk soon. 

Again, many many thanks....You are amazing!

  Dan

Construction Photos

Board concerns with adding building onto the hillside

Showerhouse planning

Devin Hollands <devinhollands@gmail.com>Nov 25, 2012, 10:37 PM

to leaders, Sarah

Kris, Dan and I just went over our initial thoughts and questions about the showerhouse extension and renovation.  We are waiting for the RFP from Shelter Rock.  I am having our architect redraft drawings which will include the updated concept of - remodeling existing building, adding extension to right side and a second floor with attic style roof, and a basement in the extension section only.

We are estimating materials at about $100,000 - which would equal the shelter rock grant.   We would then need to fund the labor and extras/overages.  

We are envisioning the project to be completed over the next 2 years - 

This would give us time to generate interest in other outside funding or donation source, and generate internal cash flow - to cover Pete's salary and helpers pay checks.

Looking at the original Shelter Rock Proposal it looks like Phil and I were the only board members who were part of that.  It is easy to talk about many things assuming everyone is on the same page... 

So please send me any questions concerns issues so we can address them and work them into our planning or explain things....  We need everyone on the same page as we move through this process and we tend to move fast once things get started.--

Devin Hollands

phil lewin <flipglen@cogeco.ca>Nov 26, 2012, 6:59 PM

to me, leaders, Sarah

Well, I'm concerned with an extension! First of all, I am concerned about the structural integrity of anything at the edge of the hill. Second, anything large that gets too close to the lodge would not have my support.

Phil

Devin Hollands <devinhollands@gmail.com>Nov 26, 2012, 10:34 PM

to leaders

The extension would have a full basement, dug into the ground.  I would like to use the pre-cast superior walls system (see link for image) for the basement walls.  The addition on my house has this basement system - it is very nice.  So there is no issue on structural integrity as this would be into the ground.  The Dirt we remove from the basement I am envisioning putting ON the hill with the chance of some type of terrace so we could actually make usable land behind the building...  So you could maybe walk out of the basement up steps.. onto terrace back there...  (point is to have Access to basement from the back - for easy in and out without going in Main entrance.. )  ie for crew or staff that have mini shop or other staff stuff in the basement.

From the shower house to the Lodge is 75 feet.

There would still be a large gap between the showerhouse and the lodge building with the extension.   The land currently is used to hold the propane tank.  The land is so unused that there is a Trench there that was dug for the new water main to Gilman - 3 or 4 years back.. and the trench was never fully filled in and all the rusted buckets and such are still piled there  in the trench on the hill side...  

So this is not an area of camp that is used...   but the slice of land will be used in the plans.. as it will have a basement 2 floors and an attic... so it will be put to extensive use.

Going over the wishes and dreams we cannot attain them without the extension.

Basement for future winter camp water system (Kris is a young man remember.. so this will happen)

  basement will play important role in other ways - we are leaving it open for organic growth as camp needs progress...

  basement will house the water heaters.. this frees up a space where existing heaters are for 1 more set of washer/dryer in the washer room

Interior staircase space needed - (which extension is built around)

Neutral sex bathroom is in extension

New meeting room for campers (converts to rooms for family camp)  is in the extension

2 staff rooms and the attic space are up stairs..

Attic will be left open as one large room for now - again for future generations to figure the highest and best use of the space.

My last statement on land usage is that the former lodge was a Massive building and the kitchen end of it ran right up close to the Shower house.   SEE THE ATTACHED PHOTO  showing Joe Malkiewicz  you can see the corner of the shower house  and the massive lodge Right behind it..   the extension will not be imposing like this and once complete it will blend right in and one would think it was always that way...

I hope this helps explain some of our thinking and reasoning for extension.

dh

Anna Brewer <annababy911@yahoo.com>Nov 28, 2012, 8:27 PM

to phil, Sarah, me, leaders@unirondack.org

I agree with Phil when I think of Erosion Hill. I think anything too close to the hill needs to be looked into so it won't fall over in the near future. But definitely on board for new shower house.

Anna 

Anna Brewer <annababy911@yahoo.com>Nov 28, 2012, 8:30 PM

to Unirondack, me

Do you you, or Dan or Kris, know if there are any campers that do to the Shelter Rock church? I, or Ben and myself could reach out to them to see if they can stir some support in their congregation. 

Anna 

Devin HollandsNov 28, 2012, 10:28 PM

"Erosion Hill"  is the hill side by Gilman.. it has been there for 10s of thousands of years.. since the Glaciers dropped the sand there.   The nature trail that cuts along the hill 1/2 way up has been there since before 1970 and today has a slight bit of sand on it from sand falling down... and from no one using the trail to flatten it down.

the trees and bushes grow very fast on that hill and it is 100% stable.  In fact Dave Ashley wanted to build our new Leining building BELOW the Lodge cut right into the hill looking Right over the lake.  Very cool but did not meet the set-back requirements of the Adirondack Park.

Point is the hill is not a worry.

The extension will be 10 feet INTO the ground so not going anywhere.   The hill side behind the showerhouse is totally wooded.

anyway...  no need to worry about hills.

I made progress with 3 hour meeting with the Architect today.  We have to install sprinkler system was the main outcome.  But we can do it with PEX plastic pipe, using our water source...  so it will not be a show stopper.

He now has the new vision and will draft it for out proposal for Shelter Rock....    and later working drawings for permit and for Pete.

devin

Renee Panetta <panetta4@nycap.rr.com>Dec 1, 2012, 7:20 AM

to me, leaders

Devin-

 I think this is a great explanation of the stability of the structure.  And 75 feet between lodge/shower house seems more than adequate. 

 I like the idea of more actual interior storage for crew.  I think the lifespan of some materials/equipment is diminished by being stored under the building.  If there’s space in the basement, maybe there could be small areas divided off for various others (like program staff, waterfront, etc)?

 I’d like to take a more thorough look at the plans so I have a more comprehensive understanding of what the proposed layout actually looks like in print.

 Thank you for all of your work on this, as always it is very thorough and detailed….

 Renee K. Panetta

Devin Hollands <devinhollands@gmail.com>Dec 1, 2012, 5:39 PM

to Renee, leaders

thanks -

  Layout will be known when the architect puts his ideas on paper and we can look it over and see if it works for us.

  The basement crew space was not intended for storage.. but for mini-shop  for tools, work bench.  Closer to the action.  so when you need a phillips driver or screw gun, or a nail or a hammer or a saw..  they are right there.   Often there are tools in the lodge office  like screw drivers and such.. and they come in SO handy being able to grab them next to the building where you found an issue..  so I think this will help us a lot.

  'storage space'  and camp usually does not work out well.   We did design intentional space in the new Leining basement garage for the Trip camp equipment.  it was a new program back then...  I guess that plan worked pretty well as a place to keep important items safe dry and in one place... (not sure about dry part).

Layout is not set in stone until Pete starts lifting walls into place.

the 75' is what it is now.. with the extension it will be about 53' blank space between buildings.

Devin

Final Report on Construction and funding to Shelter Rock 2014

2008 - Emails relighting the dream of a larger housing unit with nice rooms  Dan floats idea of combined building with new shower house

Devin Hollands <devinhollands@gmail.com>Sep 21, 2008, 4:33 PM

to Leaders, Dan, Darren

I think this weekend is a great example of how we could use a nice Unirondack House - which is what we were calling the building we were featuring in the last capital campaign...  several reasons it was not built but   more rooms that were nice/warm with real beds would go A LONG way.  We had planned that building for the older - mature crowd..  but with the new Leining building we have found that the nice warm rooms are key to the Very young crowd..  Newborns and up... 

Mark had mentioned to me the old concept of the building and I just dismissed it as water under the bridge and we did get most of nice things with the Leining building anyway...  but with large groups Leining just does not cut it  with only 5 sleeping rooms...

So I am all for exploring the concept again and at least dreaming....  No reason we could not venture up in November or beyond with a nice building.....

I can barely walk I am so tired...  need a shower - just too cold to shower --- if you were in one of the regular cabins....

We have never had a board that pulled together so much and really put in the hard work - planning - cooking - kitchen - building...  Everyone really did great.

   I am wondering if Collin would transmit the good weekend and active involved board  to the other staff - as part of the rebuilding process. Dan did you get a sense from your ride home how Collin is feeling about things?    

  Take care,

Devin

cc.  Dan/Darren

Mark Holberg - WayNorth.comSep 21, 2008, 7:36 PM

Devin, That's great. Very encouraging words. thank you. Mark

Dan GottfriedSep 22, 2008, 4:57 AM

Hi Devin- Yes it was inspiring how hard so many folks worked. I was also very impressed with both Mark and Camilla as people. I think once the dust settles we will start having some deeper conversations about B & G and what the priorities are going to be. My personal feeling is that an all-season building would be nice but there are many essentials that have to come first, including significantly growing the endowment. I just had an idea while writing this, though. What about tearing down the showerhouse and then building a combination all season building/new heated showerhouse on the footprint of the showerhouse extended towards the lodge. I am picturing a two story building, extending about 40” further towards the lodge than the present showerhouse. Just dreaming, but what do you think?

Dan

Anderson Third Floor ideas and concept for 2nd floor meeting room  how many bathrooms needed?

Devin Hollands <devinhollands@gmail.com>Sun, Apr 7, 2013, 11:19 AM

to Camp

Dormer - attic level   hard to tell how it will come out depending on how the trusses and dormers work together..  so hard to visualize it now.. but I want to leave it basically blank as far as room dividers   til we see what it is like and what camp needs in future.

   the toilet stack will got through the attic somewhere so it would be possible to add bathroom later..  I think better for people to just come down stairs for bathroom..

second floor rooms  11'  by 11'  or 12'   

  the OPEN LIVING area (new Fitts Meeting room)  is just flex space...   Understand the idea you mention..  I just want to leave it  til we see what we need..  kitchen area?  computer work area?  business office..  meeting room...   or another bunk room...   gives director now or future some input into design and use...

  FALL WINTER folks maybe have great need for common area or kitchen area???   if this is major housing block in future...

plenty of bathrooms on first floor..  (shower house)  and gender neutral bath..  so I do not want to fill the second floor with bathrooms.

--Devin Hollands

editor note:  Pete, the builder, was able to add the little bathroom on the 3rd (loft) floor - as mentioned the main pipe went right through so he added the little bathroom that is there now.

Sprinkler System - stored water needed  - use of pump and water to fight OTHER building fires?  July 28, 2013

Camp UnirondackJul 28, 2013, 8:52 PM

Hi Again Tim- Please take a look at these and let us know if they will do the trick for water tanks. They will fit in our basement window and we would need to me

Devin Hollands <devinhollands@gmail.com>Jul 28, 2013, 8:54 PM

to Camp, timothy.perkins

Tim,

   I am the President of camp Unirondack and played a large role in the building design.  I am also the Archivist for the camp and collect history.  Your parents ties to the camp is very touching as I can tell from reading all the old correspondence that the Universalists were extremely proud and loving of the camp.  If they or anyone at Central Square still has old photos or movies these can be scanned and put our our archive web site and would be treasured for generations to come.  We have many old letters and photos http://www.unirondack.org/about/archives/  including one I see from Fred Leining who was the main Universalist that put the camp together.  I have been to Central square several times for camp meetings and even slept overnight a few times!

Anyway..  

   We have found these tanks in Syracuse and at 275 gallons each we would need 7 to reach 1,800   a bank of 6 would be nice at 1,650gallons if we could meet spec with that amount.   We could stack these 2 high thus taking up minimal floor area.

   Questions:

 a) Would we be able to use this water and pump and run lines to other major buildings in the future and protect them with sprinklers?

 b)  TUBING - we REALLY like PEX tubing as we have found CPVC shatters quickly even in October if the temperature drops before we can drain all the lines at camp.  Pex has been a great thing for us.   Pete mentioned you do not use PEX tubing. but I am wondering if we could use it as I really would feel safer with the flex PEX gives under freezing conditions.

c) Do you have idea for draining the system that would allow water to not stay at the sprinkler head?   Closing the camp is a large undertaking and we want to be able to flip valves to drain as simple and fast as possible. To drain tanks I am envisioning a valve we can open to shoot water out of building and let the pump drain most of the tanks.   floor drain could handle the bit left at bottom of tanks.

I am glad we found you and hope we can make this a great project.

On Sat, Jul 27, 2013 at 8:35 AM, Camp Unirondack <director@unirondack.org> wrote:

Devin Hollands

Perkins, Timothy <timothy.perkins@comfortsystemsusa.com>

ul 29, 2013, 6:54 AM

to me, Camp

Devin,

These tanks should work however they may have to be raised up slightly so that the discharge outlets are a little higher, or at least level with the suction side of the pump.

 I believe that PEX tubing is only approved for use is sprinkler systems conforming to NFPA 13D standards which is for one and two family dwellings. The system at your new building must conform to NFPA 13R  which has stricter requirements. Also, we have no experience with PEX for this use and I would rather not use your building as the trial case. 

The pump system could definitely be used as a supply for sprinkler systems in other buildings. However, it is being designed around a residential occupancy. Consequently, it would be sufficient for additional sleeping quarters or bunk houses. It would not be large enough to meet the requirements of properly protecting a lodge or a commercial kitchen type occupancy.

 During the installation phase. We would do everything feasible to ensure that the draining process is as simple as it can be. I’m sure there will end up being circumstances where the sprinkler heads themselves will need to be removed during the draining process.

 I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any further questions.

 Thanks

Tim

Timothy Perkins

President

abj Fire Protection Co.

6500 New Venture Gear Dr

East Syracuse, NY 13057

(315)423-9766

Devin Hollands <devinhollands@gmail.com>Jul 29, 2013, 11:37 AM

to Timothy, Camp

TIM,

    The tanks are 46" high and our walls are 8'   but the poured floor.takes up some of the 8'.  so these tanks stacked might JUST fit in.. no room to raise that I see.....

   NOT sure what level the pump is at  but the discharge looks like 6" off the ground  and I do not think we could get it any higher... Would these still work?  

on the PEX.. my mistake.. I have read both the D and the R  several times - but now I see no mention of PEX in the NFPA-R.

NEW QUESTION:   Can the pump/system be used to drive a hand-held HOSE?  so if you had a fire outside the building you could turn on your hose and have INSTANT water?   To me this would be very very helpful in fighting anything that could happen around the buildings....

Devin--

Devin Hollands

.Perkins, Timothy <timothy.perkins@comfortsystemsusa.com>l 29, 2013, 12:50 PM

to me

Devin, 

The centerline of the intake of the pump I’m looking at is 12 1/4” above the floor. Consequently, all of the water would not get used. If you had 8 tanks,(4 stacks of 2) there may be still be ample capacity. Pete was talking about the possibility of having the tanks outside the building on the right hand side as your looking at the front. That way, there would be a natural gravity feed to the pump in the basement. Is that not feasible?

 Mechanically, we certainly could leave a fire hose valve on the exterior of the building for that use. My concern would be coming up with a means to make sure that this couldn’t be utilized if it was this building that was on fire as the pump and tank system would be sized to supply the sprinklers only.

 Anyway.. --
Devin Hollands
585-309-3898

Devin Hollands <devinhollands@gmail.com>l 29, 2013, 1:04 PM

to Camp, Timothy

We want them inside so that if we want to use the building in the winter we could.If we went with 8 tanks we should have 2,200 gallons  total. 

As far as the exterior hose... I see what you are saying...  I think if the sprinklers activate there will be no need for the exterior hose at this building..

so they would not both be used...  

I think it would be of great service for Other buildings  as a Quick water source prior to the crew getting the large pump going....

Thanks..

dh