Building Automation Controls Coordination: Teamwork, Adaptability, and the New Active Living Centre in Vernon

Four Kimco Controls technicians in hard hats and work gear joke around next to a branded Kimco truck on a Kelowna job site, with the surrounding hillside visible in the background.

By Ken Watt, Owner and Director of Business Development, Kimco Controls

Major construction projects rarely move in a straight line… and nowhere is building automation controls coordination more visible than when things change mid-build.

Drawings change. Site conditions shift. Equipment locations get adjusted. Trades overlap. Environments create new challenges that may not be fully understood until people are standing on site, looking at the real conditions in front of them. That has certainly been the case at the new Active Living Centre in Vernon, and it is also what makes this project such a strong example of how good construction teams are supposed to work.

Quick Answer: Building automation controls coordination means managing panel placement, DDC controls system integration, device locations, conduit routing, and trade communication throughout a construction project, not just at the end. On complex facilities like recreation centres with aquatic environments, getting this right early determines whether the BAS (Building Automation System) is serviceable and reliable long after opening day.

Building Automation Controls Coordination on a Complex Project

The City of Vernon describes the Active Living Centre as a modern recreation facility designed to support community health and well-being, with construction underway and opening planned for late 2026. Clark Builders notes that the facility will include a 50-metre pool, leisure pool, hot tubs, sauna, steam room, double gymnasium, fitness center, indoor track, and multi-purpose spaces. For current construction updates, visit vernonalc.ca.

Large recreation facilities bring together a wide range of mechanical, electrical, and building automation systems. Aquatic environments add another layer of complexity because of humidity, corrosion considerations, equipment locations, access requirements, and long-term serviceability.

On a project like this, even a “small” change can create a ripple effect.

A control panel may need to move because of access or environmental concerns. A device location may need to be adjusted because of site coordination. A planned enclosure may need to be reconsidered because the final installed conditions are different than expected. A simple relocation can affect conduit routes, wiring, mechanical coordination, commissioning, and schedule.

That is where field leadership matters.

What Changes Daily on a Large Commercial Site

For Kimco Controls, our role in a project like this is not just about installing controls. It is about coordination, problem-solving, communication, and helping ensure that the building systems come together properly in a complex, changing environment.

And on this project, that work is being led in the field by one of Kimco’s Lead Journeymen, Nathyn, someone who has quickly proven himself as a talented, steady, and highly capable part of our team.

There has not been a day on site where the team has not had to pivot, react, adjust, or coordinate around changing conditions. Through it all, he has stayed focused on the bigger picture: keep the work moving, keep communication open, protect the budget, and support the overall project team.

He meets regularly with the Kimco team to make sure the work stays on target, on task, and on budget. That type of discipline matters, especially on a fast-moving site where decisions need to be made quickly but still thoughtfully.

Why Trade Coordination Matters in HVAC Automation Controls

One of the strongest parts of this project has been the level of coordination between trades.

Kimco has been working closely with the mechanical contractor, the electrical contractor, and the pool contractor to help solve issues before they become bigger problems. That collaboration is especially important in a facility where mechanical systems, pool systems, electrical infrastructure, and building automation and control all need to work together.

The goal is not to point fingers when something changes. The goal is to work together and find the best path forward.

That may mean:

• Reviewing an enclosure location because of the pool environment

• Coordinating with the mechanical contractor on equipment access

• Adjusting controls installation details so the system is not only functional at turnover, but serviceable for years after the building opens

• Communicating conduit routing changes before they affect other trades

This is where Kimco’s experience in HVAC automation controls, mechanical systems, electrical, and building automation becomes valuable. We are not looking at one isolated piece of the building. We are looking at how the systems interact, how they will be maintained, and how they will support the people who operate the facility long after construction is complete.

Field Leadership Makes the Difference

Nathyn has been a standout on this project.

He is talented, smart, and has the experience, exactly the type of person you want leading work on a complex site. He understands that being a good Journeyman is not just about technical ability. It is also about communication, planning, documentation, and knowing when to pull the right people into a conversation. On a job where things are changing daily, that matters.

A strong field lead keeps the work organized. They ask questions early. They communicate with other trades. They keep the office informed. They understand the budget and schedule impact of changes. They make sure the work is being installed properly, but also practically.

That is what Nathyn has been doing at the Active Living Centre. And from Kimco’s perspective, that is worth recognizing.

Projects like this are built by teams, but they also depend on individuals who take ownership. Nathyn has done that, and he continues to represent Kimco extremely well on-site.

Four Kimco Controls technicians in high-visibility vests eating pizza during a lunch break in a job site trailer at the Vernon Active Living Centre, with project drawings visible on the wall behind them.

Controls Coordination Checklist: Questions to Review Early

In large facilities, building automation services are sometimes thought of as something that happens near the end of the project.

In reality, controls coordination needs to happen much earlier. The location of panels, sensors, conduit pathways, equipment interfaces, network wiring, and access points can all affect how well the system performs and how easily it can be serviced in the future. This is especially true in pool and recreation facilities, where humidity, chemical exposure, mechanical room conditions, and public access areas all need to be considered.

A few practical questions that should be reviewed early on a project like this:

 

Question	Why it matters
Is the control enclosure located in an environment suitable for long-term reliability?	Pool humidity and chemical exposure can damage equipment not rated for aquatic environments.
Will technicians be able to safely access panels and devices after construction is complete?	Inaccessible panels create service problems that last the life of the building.
Are controls pathways coordinated with mechanical and electrical routing?	Conflicts discovered late mean rework, delays, and added cost.
Are equipment interfaces clearly understood between trades?	Unresolved interface questions become commissioning failures.
Are changes being documented before they affect commissioning?	Undocumented changes slow down commissioning and create long-term service gaps.
Are future maintenance staff being considered in today's installation decisions?	A system that works on day one but can't be maintained is a liability, not an asset.

These questions may seem small during construction, but they can make a major difference once the building is operational.

Good controls work is not just about making systems run on day one. It is about making sure they can be operated, adjusted, maintained, and supported for years.

The Bigger Picture

The Active Living Centre is an important project for Vernon and the surrounding communities. Once complete, it will become a major recreation hub for aquatics, fitness, sport, and community programming. The City has described the facility as being designed with accessibility, inclusion, and long-term community use in mind. For Kimco, being part of a project like this is something we take pride in.

It is an opportunity to contribute to a facility that will serve families, athletes, seniors, children, community groups, and residents for years to come. It is also an opportunity to show what our team does best: work hard, communicate clearly, support other trades, and find practical solutions when site conditions change.

That is construction. That is teamwork. And that is where good people make the difference.

Nathyn’s leadership on this project is a great example of that. He has handled the pressure, the changes, and the coordination with professionalism beyond his years. He is a Kimco Controls superstar, and this project has been a strong reminder of how much talent we have coming up within our team.

At the end of the day, building automation is about more than controls. It is about people, buildings, teamwork, and trust. And on the Active Living Centre project, those pieces are coming together every day.

FAQ: Building Automation Controls Coordination

Q: What does building automation controls coordination involve on a commercial project?

A: It covers panel placement, DDC (Direct Digital Control) system integration, device location, conduit routing, trade communication, and commissioning preparation. On a complex facility like the Vernon Active Living Centre, these decisions need to happen throughout construction, not just at the end. The earlier coordination starts, the fewer problems surface at commissioning.

Q: Why are pool environments more challenging for a DDC controls system?

A: Pool areas often involve high humidity, specialized ventilation requirements, and harsher environmental conditions than typical commercial spaces. Controls equipment, sensors, and enclosures need to be selected and located with those conditions in mind. The wrong placement can affect equipment reliability and make long-term service difficult.

Q: What makes building automation services successful on a large construction project?

A: A successful controls installation is organized, coordinated, accessible, properly documented, and commissioned with the end user in mind. The system should not only work at turnover. It should be understandable and serviceable for the people who operate the building.

Q: Why does commercial automation contractor experience matter on recreation facilities?

A: Recreation facilities combine aquatics, fitness, and multi-use programming spaces, each with different system requirements. A commercial automation contractor with experience across HVAC automation controls, electrical, and building systems can spot coordination issues early, communicate across trades, and install a system that holds up over time. Kimco Controls has been providing these services across BC’s Interior since 1988, and holds certifications with ASHRAE, WorkSafe BC, BCEA, and ITA.

About the Author

Ken Watt is an Owner and Director of Business Development at Kimco Controls, a BC Interior-based commercial HVAC, building automation, and electrical services company. Kimco has been serving clients across the Thompson-Okanagan and Kootenays since 1988. Learn more about Kimco's building automation and controls services.

Kimco Controls helps commercial building owners, property managers, general contractors, and operations managers achieve safe, efficient buildings through integrated HVAC, building automation, and electrical services. Based in Kelowna and serving BC's Interior since 1988, Kimco is an exclusive Delta Controls dealer certified with ASHRAE, WorkSafe BC, BCEA, and ITA.

Working on a complex commercial or institutional project? Talk to the Kimco team.