RMBL research facility going vertical with new construction

A race to beat the season

A new research facility being built by the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL) in Gothic is going vertical. According to project manager Marc Litzen of general contractor FCI Constructors, the work is going well and “things are progressing according to schedule.”

RMBL announced last fall that it had received a $1.85 million grant from the National Science Foundation to build the 4,800-square-foot research facility that is being billed as a chance to transform the research that has been done at the RMBL since it opened in 1928.
The new lab space will replace the former Murray Laboratory and the existing Willy Lab, since the terms of the NSF grant stipulate that there cannot be any net gain or loss of lab space as a result of the project.
According to RMBL physical plant supervisor Robyn Edwards, the new facility will allow scientists studying in Gothic throughout the summer to look at biological processes at a molecular level, instead of just studying the biology through observation.  
RMBL director Ian Billick echoes that, saying, “Once the facility becomes operational in 2012 RMBL will be able to significantly expand the types of research we are able to support. We will have better facilities for scientists wishing to integrate modern laboratory techniques with field research as well as to better manage data streams from environmental sensors, such as our weather station network.”
And the solar thermal system that was planned for the facility is taking shape. So far the heat piping has been placed in the floor and is awaiting a system of solar thermal panels on the roof, where water will be heated to control the temperature throughout the building.
Other improvements around the town of Gothic are also starting to take shape.
“RMBL continues to make significant progress in upgrading our operations. In addition to the Research Center, visitors to Gothic will notice that we are renovating another historic cabin [Richards Cabin] and upgrading our water system,” Billick said. “Additionally, in the fall we will be moving one of our old buildings to a location next to the Gothic Store and converting the building to a Visitor’s Center.”
Litzen says work on the laboratory, which hasn’t been officially named yet, should be completed by November 1.