Imagination Millwork was thrilled to work with The University of Maryland at College Park on the recent Jones-Hill House athletic facility project.
“As a Maryland company, it was exciting for us to work with our home team on the install of the lockers at Jones-Hill House,” said Theresa Rutter, owner of Imagination Millwork. “The whole team tackled the job with the dedication of a Terp fan on game day.”
Unveiled in June 2021, the new home of the Maryland Terps is now one of the top college football facilities in the country. The state-of-the-art campus boasts a 24,000 square foot conditioning space, players’ lounge, sports medicine room, auditorium, meeting space, dining commons, patio, practice fields, and custom locker room.
“The complexity of the job was intriguing,” said Rutter. “The scope included multifaceted logistics, complicated and meticulous installation, and final detailing of over 250 customized high-end lockers befitting a Division 1 university.”
Each of the lockers features a recliner with an ottoman, custom turtle shell wireless phone charger, vents to keep equipment dry, and app-controlled lighting.
While Imagination Millwork has moved away from installations and now specializes primarily in the design and production of products, the company’s background brought a unique dual perspective to the project.
“Our manufacturing experience proved invaluable in providing practical solutions on site. We consulted with the manufacturer throughout the project to resolve multiple issues with the layout. We also worked closely with the lighting controls manufacturer to decipher a major problem with the low-voltage connectivity of the wireless controls. The solutions Imagination Millwork presented made for a more precise install and a better end product.”
A compressed timeline meant carefully coordinating details of the project for a smooth installation. Imagination Millwork planned logistics for transporting and delivering 10 tractor-trailer loads of locker components. That task alone encompassed coordinating the delivery schedule with the shipping company, working with their drivers, reserving dock space and elevator usage with the general contractor, ensuring the availability of sufficient personnel, and overseeing the off-loading and stocking of material.
Imagination Millwork also successfully navigated several significant challenges during the three-month project, including coordinating with an out-of-state manufacturer, COVID-19 restrictions, and supply chain limitations.
There was also an unprecedented eight-day period of severe weather in Texas where the manufacturer is located. An ice storm caused widespread power outages and unsafe road conditions, which meant their factory shut down for more than a week. This caused the compression of an already aggressive installation schedule.
In the end, Imagination Millwork finished the project on time.
“The University of Maryland’s Jones-Hill House is a testament to what we can accomplish when general contractors, supervisors, and other vendors are invested in delivering a finished job that highlights their best work. We are very proud of Imagination Millwork’s contribution to the effort. Let’s go, Terps!”
Imagination Millwork specializes in the design and fabrication of customized and production millwork. The company prides itself on producing ready-to-install custom millwork that is designed and manufactured to client specifications.
Imagination Millwork holds Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), and Small Business Enterprise (SBE) certifications from the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Office of Minority Business Enterprise (OMBE).