Operations Map
Location
of the Kohler Building and the Central Heating Plant and their history.
The
Otto C. Kohler Building
The Kohler Building is named in honor of Otto C. Kohler who served
as Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds, Business Manager, Assistant
Treasurer and Member of the Mount Holyoke Administration from 1932
to 1968.
The
building was completed in 1968 with Buildings and Grounds (Facilities
Management) moving in that summer. There was an addition in 1988
on the west wing to accommodate Dining Services who occupied a warehouse,
offices, and bake shop by the lower lake. This building (which is
south of the Central Services Complex) was renovated after the Dining
Services move and became the Ciruti Language Center. The last addition
to the Kohler Building was completed in 1993 and included an attached
two story warehouse and two-bay repair garage on the east wing.
Facilities Management Organizational Chart
Central
Services Complex
Also known as "The Powerhouse" in the 1920's since it
contained coal-fired boilers, the name was used in the Holyoke area
to describe steam/electric generation plants although the college
lacked the ability to generate electricity. There was a major conversion
to oil-fired boilers in 1934 with installation of 120 General Electric
burners/boilers in 24 groups. By that time, the building was known
as "The Heating Plant". It's colorful history isn't reflected
in its various names as opposed to its neighbor the "Ciruti
Language Center" also known as "The Commissary" and
"Little Willy." There was another major addition to The
Heating Plant in 1939 to provide added capacity to handle the demands
of Abbey Hall which was just completed. This addition is the concrete
section facing Pageant Field.
On
December 11,1977 a major fire shut down the plant but with an around
the clock effort enough boilers were re-fired to get the college
through the crisis. The "Central Heating
Plant" is now a modern, efficient operation using gas or
oil as a fuel.
The
various shops were located in the areas now occupied by Public Safety,
Mail Services, and the Cable, Card and Telephone Services office..
The college fire truck was garaged in the basement area now used
by Mail Services. The Buildings and Grounds offices , warehouse,
and loading dock were in "Little Willy" (a.k.a. as The
Commissary and now the Language Center.)
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