CWU Weathers Storm Thanks to Work of Facilities Crews

It takes a lot to keep a university in operation, especially during a winter storm like this week’s here in central Washington. Fortunately for CWU’s Ellensburg campus, crews from the university’s Facilities Management department were able to meet the challenge, using specialized vehicles and equipment—along with some good, old-fashioned elbow grease.

University Grounds Supervisor Blair McNeillie, says his 16-member crew, with the help of university custodians, plowed and cleaned more than three-million-square-feet of sidewalks and parking lots daily along with maintaining benches, building entrances, and curb cuts during the storm.

McNeillie adds that most areas were shoveled or plowed at least twice on Tuesday alone, with some pathways needing attention four to five times during the week. To get it all done, his

crews typically began work between midnight and 4 a.m.

Central also used about 90 tons of sand and 7,000 pounds of ice melt during this storm alone. More than 1.5 million cubic feet of snow was removed at Central throughout the week. Much of it remains on campus, at a special site also used by the City of Ellensburg.

Media contact: Robert Lowery. CWU Public Affairs, 509-963-1487, loweryr@cwu.edu