Terra Sancta Spiritual Life Center & School

Assessment, Master Plan & Improvements | Rapid City, SD

This project included an assessment of the Terra Sancta Spiritual Life Center & Elementary School in order to develop a master plan and implemented recommended programming changes for the facility.

The existing complex was just under 170,000 square feet and included an elementary school, chapel, Spiritual Life Retreat Center, Dioceses offices/dorm rooms, kitchen/dining facility, and basement mechanical/electrical/storage space. West Plains Engineering provided the mechanical and electrical engineering services related to the evaluation and planning of the complex. This involved an on-site review of systems, with the information reported along with recommended infrastructure improvements that would support the existing and future programming needs of the Owner.

In 2012, our team went on to design the mechanical and electrical systems for the $13.4 million remodel of the facility that resulted from the assessment. The project provided for a complete remodel of the school, Spiritual Life Retreat Center, kitchen/dining area, and the second-floor dorm. These areas were provided all new HVAC, plumbing, electrical distribution, lighting, fire alarm, and communications systems.

Notably, the HVAC for the facility consists of a 200 well, eight-circuit geothermal well field system serving multiple water-to-heat pumps throughout the school, kitchen, cafeteria, and chapel. This sustainable option increases efficiency while decreasing costs for the owner.

The project also included numerous exterior upgrades to include new exterior egress lighting and new playgrounds and parking lots requiring new site lighting.