On Friday, May 17th, our team at Faber Construction had the honor of hearing the ceremonial drums sound as we celebrated the completion of the luxurious @Angel of the Winds RV Resort. This state-of-the-art resort, built for the Stillaguamish Tribe and the Angel of the Winds Casino, is located in Arlington, WA. Featuring 156 pull-through sites, 24 back-in sites, a small yurt village, custom clubhouse, playground, dog park, pickleball courts, an indoor pool, mini golf, and a handful of picnic and BBQ pavilions, guests will have no trouble keeping themselves entertained during their stay.

When we were awarded this project back in August of 2023, we were overjoyed to be working with the Stillaguamish Tribe and the Angel Of The Winds Casino Resort for a third time. Our past projects with this group were executed with precision and completed on schedule, fostering a strong relationship and high expectations for this project.

A Race Against Time

With the need to be up and running by summer of 2024, the project was given a strict 9.5 month deadline. With our estimated schedule for the project being 12 months, we knew the complexity and urgency of this project required meticulous planning and a detailed schedule, both areas of which our team excels. So with a detailed plan and a proactive management style, we set out to construct the numerous outbuildings, nine picnic and BBQ pavilions, eight yurts, and the prime 24,000 square foot clubhouse. From the start, our team had a surefire gameplan to get this project done.

With the use of Procore, a construction management tool that was critical to the success of this project, we implemented individual schedules for each project on site. “We developed an individual component of the schedule for the yurts, one for the washrooms, one for the outbuildings, and then we divided the clubhouse itself into four different sections so that a sub could come in and get that component done in a week, then move onto the next component, and then the next sub could come in. We shuffled it like a deck of cards,” explained our Senior Project Manager, Dan Anable. By separating each component, it helped everyone involved maintain a clear line of communication and understand exactly where their services were needed and when. Procore also helped track the progress of the entire project, keeping us on schedule for the 9.5 month deadline.

As everyone worked together to push this project towards the finish line, the jobsite remained lively at all times. Nearly everyday there would be 80 workers, including 14 Faber employees, working in the clubhouse to get the job done. With the large number of people in close quarters, the schedule could not have been more important. “It was a challenge, there were some doubters, and it was incredible. We had a wonderful sub mix, we really didn't have too many times where people were mad at each other. Although there were a handful of times we would have subs in the same room at the same time,” detailed our PM Dan. Guided by our core values, Dan successfully navigated the tight schedule and overlap between the subs by maintaining open communication and respect.

To further guarantee everyone was on the same page in terms of the schedule, weekly meetings with our subcontractors took place. These gatherings further detailed each phase, from current to future, and the expectations of each sub. During this time, our subs were able to vocalize any questions or concerns. From there, our team would work together to resolve any issues quickly and respectfully.

A Custom Masterpiece

The sheer size and complexity of the completely custom clubhouse led to the creation of four separate schedules; one for the retail, one for the grandhall, one for the spa, and one for the fitness area. The clubhouse served as the centerpiece of the resort and was recalled as “the project within the project”. Spanning over 24,000 square feet, the four sections helped navigate the specifics of what was needed and when. Multiple of our subcontractors were able to operate in the clubhouse at once, shifting between each section as they would complete them one by one. “The Clubhouse is custom. The plywood and the millwork/trim was all custom. We reinvented the way everything worked together so that our subs came in and had an ease of use assembling” Dan had recalled. From the stunning courtyard with a custom indoor, open flame fire pit, to the village of yurts, each component was crafted to enhance the experience for the guests.

The Finish Line

As the project neared completion, regular walks around the site with our supervisors, superintendents, and the ownership group took place to highlight the progress made. This collaborative approach ensured we were up to par with their expectations and kept the client satisfied.

Although the project was under a tight deadline, we knew our team could handle it. Not only did we meet the deadline, but we exceeded it by finishing construction in just after 9 months. “[I’m proud] that we finished! I’ve been on the preconstruction side of projects for several years, so it was satisfying to experience a project being finished while being supported by Faber leadership” Dan reflected.

The satisfaction was felt on all levels as the ribbon was cut three weekends ago, marking the achievement of a successful collaboration backed by determination and innovation.

We would like to extend our gratitude to the Stillaguamish Tribe and Angel Of The Winds Casino Resort, for entrusting us with this project.