Kimco’s Strong Job Site Culture at George Pringle

Coffee + donut break! Aiden is one of our Apprentices on the Automation Construction Team working at George Pringle Secondary School.

Job site culture comes from the daily habits that shape safety, teamwork, and how work moves between trades. These routines affect how crews communicate, solve problems, and get things done together. With a strong culture, teams face fewer surprises, stay on schedule, and get the project ready for opening day with less stress. 

At George Pringle Secondary School, Kimco’s Building Automation System (BAS) will connect systems through a single control platform, helping the school manage comfort, energy use, and day-to-day performance through an integrated building controls system. 

We caught up with our folks working on the George Pringle Secondary School project to see how it’s going.

Cultural Habits that Protect BAS and HVAC Project Outcomes

In Kimco’s decades of working at various types of job sites, we’ve noticed three cultural habits that greatly improve workflow. They might seem simple, but they help keep schedules on track by reducing rework and confusion.

1. A Safety-First Mindset
   Safety is more than a policy for us; it’s a standard we follow every day. We start each task with careful planning, hazard checks, and safety briefings. Every team member is encouraged to speak up if something seems off. Our goal is simple: everyone goes home safe at the end of the day.
   
   

2. Open, Proactive Communication Across Trades
   Building automation connects mechanical, electrical, and IT systems, so good coordination is essential. We focus on early and ongoing communication with other trades to resolve layout issues, clarify how systems fit together, and avoid rework. Through meetings, quick check-ins, and teamwork, we work to bring clarity to every project.
   
   

3. Respect for Every Crew on Site
   We know that every trade is important to a successful project. This means acting professionally, sticking to schedules, keeping work areas tidy, and helping other crews when needed. Respect, accountability, and teamwork are expected from everyone, from leaders to apprentices, because a strong culture leads to strong projects.
   
   

“This level of coordination sets the project up for a smoother installation and commissioning phase, positioning the team well as we transition into the next stage of system deployment and startup.”
— Kimco Management

George Pringle: Culture on a Busy Building Automation Project

The George Pringle Secondary School site in West Kelowna, BC, is a busy place. The Kimco construction automation team sticks to quick check-ins, clear handoffs, and thoughtful task planning to ensure clarity and efficiency.

Small gestures from leadership also help build the routine at George Pringle. Things like surprising staff with coffee and donuts show appreciation and help people feel connected. Sometimes, it’s the small stuff that counts, and everyone appreciates a snack on a long day. Kimco leadership, Ken Watt and Kris Wiens, are committed to spending more time on site as the project moves forward, sharing informal time with technicians and staying closely connected to what’s happening on the ground.

Making room for real connection and open conversation builds trust, strengthens team culture, and helps everyone stay on the same page as work moves forward. At Kimco, putting people first is a must. We’re a close team that values clear communication, respect, and always following through - even during busy times. This culture keeps our quality and team spirit strong.

“This level of coordination sets the project up for a smoother installation and commissioning phase, positioning the team well as we transition into the next stage of system deployment and startup.”
— Kimco Management

Rough-in Update: DDC System + HVAC Integration

Automation rough-in typically happens later than base building, mechanical, and electrical work, once major equipment and core infrastructure are in place. At this stage, our team is tying in the DDC (Digital Direct Controls) and Building Automation System (BAS) control infrastructure with the installed mechanical and electrical systems. This sets the stage for the next steps: commissioning, programming, and optimization. That’s when the BAS becomes the “brain” of the facility, supporting energy management and performance monitoring across the school.

A recent success was getting all the major trades aligned on final planning and coordination before finishing work picks up. Through site meetings and clear team communication, teams have sorted out layout conflicts, adjusted device placements, and confirmed panel locations and integration points early. A lot of the day is quick check-ins, making sure everyone’s on the same page before moving forward.

“This is where the building truly begins to come to life as individual systems transition into a fully integrated, intelligent environment.”
— Kimco Management

Collaboration on Site and Apprentice Mentorship

Working alongside Chapman Mechanical and Clark Builders, Kimco is providing the Building Automation System (BAS) to bring George Pringle’s systems to life and support a comfortable, energy-smart learning environment. 

George Pringle is a real team effort, with many trades and teams working closely together to build a modern school that reflects shared goals for sustainability, innovation, and community wellbeing.

Strong teamwork also means investing in the people doing the work. Mentoring apprentices helps keep quality and safety high, both now and on future projects. When apprentices know what’s expected and get steady support, work stays consistent, and crews avoid preventable mistakes. At Kimco, structured training and mentorship help apprentices build skills and strengthen teamwork and job site culture.

Talk to a Controls Specialist

If you want fewer coordination issues, smoother handoffs, and a positive atmosphere on site, reach out to a Kimco Controls Specialist to discuss planning and coordination for your job site.

FAQ

Q: Does job site culture really affect the schedule?

A: Yes. A strong culture leads to better daily coordination, which means fewer delays and less rework.

Q: What is one simple sign of a strong culture during a site visit?

A: You’ll see regular check-ins and clear responsibility for next steps, especially when trades hand off work. And, of course, the occasional donut break.

Q: How can a district foster a better job site culture?

A: Set clear expectations early about how often teams should communicate, how to document work, and how decisions will be made before construction starts.

Kimco helps school district operations teams across BC with building automation services focused on clear coordination, safer job sites, and reliable project turnover. See our projects and start a conversation through our building automation services page.