Project Background
By 2021, Washington-Kosciusko Elementary and nearby Jefferson Elementary had reached a breaking point. Both schools, built in the 1930s, had substandard ventilation and no air conditioning. Poor indoor air quality was a persistent problem for staff and students, one that became impossible to overlook during the COVID-19 pandemic, when illness-related absenteeism surged. In warmer months, the buildings were uncomfortable in the spring and fall and largely unusable for summer activities.
The Winona Area Public Schools administration and school board recognized that the situation required a long-term solution rather than a temporary fix. Both buildings had been preserved because of their historical and community significance, and the district was committed to keeping them in service. What they needed was a modern HVAC system that could work within the existing footprint of two historic schools without disrupting either building’s character or the community spaces surrounding them.
Objectives and Process
The school board’s Finance Committee took on the evaluation process, working with architects and engineers to identify viable options. They sought a solution that would address long-term cooling and air quality needs, remain financially feasible, fit within the existing school footprints, and align with the community’s strong interest in environmental sustainability. Preserving both historic buildings rather than pursuing demolition was a non-negotiable priority.
After an exhaustive review period, the board selected Darcy for the project. Darcy’s groundwater geothermal system stood out for its high efficiency, compact site footprint, and long-term sustainability. The local geology also worked in the project’s favor, with strong hydrologic productivity in the Winona-area aquifer. The district had prior familiarity with the technology through its Alternative Learning Center, which had already been successfully running on a geothermal system.
Darcy engineers partnered with Wold and Kraus-Anderson throughout the planning period to develop a system tailored to Washington-Kosciusko’s specific site conditions and operational needs.
Design and Construction
With the school remaining in operation throughout the project, construction was divided into two phases and completed during summer months to minimize disruption. Darcy managed the design and installation of both a building-side closed geothermal loop using a water-to-water heat pump and a ground-side closed geothermal loop and open aquifer system.
Four wells were installed in a slim but accessible parcel of land adjacent to the front entrance of the building, situated between playground areas at the rear of the facility. The placement was designed to keep the wellfield unobtrusive to students and faculty during the school day while ensuring straightforward access for ongoing operations and maintenance. The system connects to a retrofitted mechanical room where central heat pumps distribute thermal energy throughout the building.
Results and Benefits
Since installation, the Washington-Kosciusko geothermal system has performed as designed. Air quality improved noticeably, the learning environment became comfortable year-round, and energy costs began to decline. The district is also pursuing available financial incentives, including federal tax credits and rebates from Xcel Energy.
“This was a big shift for the veteran staff, but I couldn’t be more pleased with their ability to accept and embrace the change,” said School Board Member Nancy Denzer. “They were proud to be a part of this project and the new system ultimately freed up their time to focus on other things.”
For the district as a whole, the financial picture has also been encouraging. Washington-Kosciusko and Jefferson Elementary together represent Winona Area Public Schools’ commitment to investing in healthy, sustainable facilities that serve the community for the long haul, demonstrating that groundwater-enabled geothermal can work in historic school buildings where other solutions simply would not.
