Working with C. Rallo Contracting Co., Inc. of St. Louis, Missouri, Lindblad became part of a unique project to build two barges, each with 20,000 square feet of gaming space - for a total of 40,000 square feet - for Harrah's Casino in Joliet. The finished casino is the product of the two barges combined.

The barges were built out-of-state and floated down the DesPlaines River to Lemont. The work performed in Lemont included structural steel, architectural, mechanical and electrical work.

Weather was uncooperative and C. Rallo had Lindblad install temporary covers over the barges so they could continue fireproofing the steel. The fast-track schedule demanded that the project keep going despite the weather.

Lindblad was responsible for the exterior metal framing and sheathing around the perimeters and on four mechanical penthouses, structural metal framing, all interior partitions, gypsum board and board taping, temporary walls, insulation, tiered metal framed and gypsum board soffits, acoustical ceilings, all rough carpentry, door frames, doors and hardware and Exterior Insulation and finish system.

The first barge was floated down the DesPlaines on September 10 to its home at Harrah's in Joliet. The second barge followed on September 16. Work to connect the two took approximately one week. After each section was brought in, it was opened for business about a week later.

Lindblad's responsibility for the transition between the two barges included the concrete and architectural work.

The entire project for Lindblad took five months and was completed on schedule.

Lindblad recently completed a new facility for Mechanical and Industrial Steel Services (M & I). The facility consists of a 10,000 square foot Star Building Systems, pre-engineered metal building and a 2,400 square foot office.

The office was constructed using conventional masonry, bar joist, metal deck and a membrane roofing system.

Along with Thomas A. Buchar and Associates, Lindblad was responsible for the initial project design and budgets.

Lindblad performed the concrete, masonry, carpentry, metal studs and drywall with their own forces. M & I erected the metal building and fabricated and erected the structural steel, bar joists, metal deck and the crane runway beams, and installed the overhead cranes.

This past month has been a good one for metal building sales. Lindblad will be erecting Star Pre-engineered Metal Buildings for Citgo Petroleum in Lemont, Guardian Pipeline in Joliet, Harbour Contractors at the new Deer Run Industrial Park project in Elwood and PP&L in University Park.

The total dollar volume for metal building sales this year exceeds $500,000.