Electrical Upgrades Coming to Wissahickon Park Building

The Wissahickon Park Building in Lansdale is getting a new electrical upgrade in the next couple of weeks, just in time for new art classes and a Penn State reading program that will take place at the facility.

"It's antiquated," said Lansdale Parks and Recreation Director Carl Saldutti of the electrical system. "Some stuff has been patched in over the years."

Saldutti updated the parks and recreation committee last week on the upgrades.

"I looked at the service the other night, and it's falling apart," said committee member Rich DiGregorio Jr.

Saldutti said he is waiting on a third quote from a "reputable" electrical contractor before moving ahead with a contract.

The borough electric department will remove the mastarm attached to the roof on the back of the building.

"They will drop in a thin utility pole close to building in the rear," Saldutti said. "The power source comes in from Lakeview Drive over the roof, and you need certain clearances."

Saldutti said he was grateful for the electric department's guidance and assessment on electrical needs.

Saldutti said the building still operates on fuses.

"We want to put everythin in breaker boxes," he said. "We will demolish all interior fuse boxes and circuit breaker panels, and move applicable circuits to a new panel."

Here is what will be furnished and installed at the Wissahickon Park Building:

• One 200-amp service drop cable from the borough pole to the meter box. Saldutti said the existing meter box will be relocated.
• One 200-amp meter box for two meters.
• One 200-amp service entrance cable from the meter equipment to the building service panel.
• One 60-amp service entrance cable from the meter equipment to the exterior lighting panel.
• One 200-amp panel in the mechanical room in the building.
• One 60-amp panel outside the building for exterior lights. Saldutti said the building is one on meter, and the park lights are on another meter.
• Two photocells on the exterior to control the exterior lights
• Rerouting of an existing floodlight at the peak of the building.

A new roof will also be put on the Wissahickon Park Building after all electrical upgrades are completed, Saldutti said. 

The upcoming electrical upgrades are budgeted for 2013, and the new roof will be paid from the 2010 General Obligation Bond.

The building could also get a drop ceiling on the interior and energy-efficient lighting.

"We want to get the mastarm off first ... and clean that ceiling up," Saldutti said. "We will make improvements as we go. Do a little bit at a time."

Saldutti said the parks department looked at bringing electric in from the peak of the building, but that meant installing disconnects because it was too far from the panels.

"Now, we're talking twice the expense. We went back to the drawing board," he said.

Saldutti said the art classes will begin in late March or mid-April. They are in cooperation with the North Penn Arts Alliance.

He said there is some flexibility on when to begin the classes, and anticipated the upgrades to be done in time for the classes.

"They are either six- or eight-week programs, and there are four different programs," he said.

The reading program is a partnership with Penn State University. That program will begin in mid-July, Saldutti said.

"Both of them are revenue producers," Saldutti said.