DuPont Country Club
Butler building systems helped deliver a precision-engineered fitness and aquatics center that brought performance, efficiency and schedule certainty on a complex, occupied site.
Project
Overview
DuPont Country Club has more than a century of heritage across its 525-acre campus in Delaware’s Brandywine Valley. When Rockland Sports acquired the club in 2018, leadership set a decisive goal: Expand the member experience with a new fitness and aquatics center engineered for long-term performance.
CEO Robert Wirth initiated a $21-million capital investment to deliver that vision. “We want to serve a whole new segment of the population and bridge the gap between our fitness and country club services,” he said. “This 19,000-square-foot facility is the largest fitness center in a country club anywhere in the country.”
EDiS Company — a Butler Builder® since 1981 — was among the firms considered for the project. Their reputation, regional experience and ability to manage complex conditions positioned them as a trusted partner. Wirth immediately recognized the strength of that partnership. “I can’t say enough about EDiS and its people. They were working with us constantly to find ways to achieve our goals by doing something faster, cheaper and better. They were true partners in the process.”
Early design concepts exceeded budget expectations. EDiS identified Butler building systems as the path to preserve design intent while aligning cost and schedule. “Once we understood the budget constraints, we immediately turned to a pre-engineered solution by Butler to help us save money and to achieve our schedule,” said Chuck Aungst, division manager for EDiS Building Systems. “The architect felt satisfied that his design was not compromised in any way.”
The structure features the Butler MR-24® Roof System with the TBS™ insulation package for energy efficiency and long-term weathertight performance. The 360-degree Pittsburgh double-lock seam provides a continuous steel surface engineered to protect the facility over time. Multiple roof-top units sit on IF curbs, and the edge conditions incorporate a custom parapet solution with wide gutters. Below the roof, Sky-Web® enhances fall protection during erection and delivers a clean interior finish.
EDiS applied building information modeling to avoid clashes, improve clearances and reduce structural steel. “BIM helped us identify areas where ductwork was necessary, therefore we could achieve the maximum amount of clearance inside within a minimum amount of height for the building,” Aungst said. “We not only saved on structural steel, but we eliminated potential clashes that would have meant costly delays.”
The project required a precise, two-phase approach. The pool opened first to support the summer season, while the new fitness center was constructed just 15 feet from the active pool area. EDiS developed an occupied site plan to protect members and maintain operations.
Once we understood the budget constraints, we immediately turned to a pre-engineered solution by Butler to help us save money and to achieve our schedule, The architect felt satisfied that his design was not compromised in any way.
Even as COVID-19 challenged construction schedules across the industry, the project stayed on track. “Despite all of the delays and issues around COVID, we were able to maintain our schedule because the building went up so well,” said Michael Freda, vice president of EDiS Company.
Looking ahead, Wirth sees the impact of the investment. “Ironically, COVID has sparked a resurgence in the game of golf. Utilization rates are way up because long-time golfers are playing more golf, and new people are coming into the game. What better way to get ‘socially distanced’ than getting out on our 200 acres of golf courses. And our new fitness and aquatic center adds a whole new dimension to the country club experience.”
The result is a facility that strengthens the club’s competitive position and demonstrates how disciplined execution, proven systems and strong partnerships deliver long-term value.
