Peterborough, NH Vantage Builders, Inc.’s cannabis construction practice has completed a 4,500 s/f expansion to Prime Alternative Treatment Centers’ therapeutic cannabis cultivation facility.

The project included the construction of a mother, propagation and vegetation room, two flowering rooms, a drying room, trimming and bulk material storage room, and a decontamination room, where workers gown up prior to entering the grow areas. The new expanded facility more than doubles Prime ATC’s therapeutic cannabis cultivation capacity and increased the company’s footprint in the building from 6,000 s/f to over 10,000 s/f. The project team also included GJO Associates architects and BLW Engineers.

“We were thoroughly impressed with the level of professionalism and commitment that the Vantage Builders team demonstrated throughout the entire project, from the initial bidding to completion,” said Klaus Polttila, cultivation and production manager at Prime ATC. “Not only did Vantage prove to be capable in the field, the team also provided excellent guidance to Prime when they identified processes that could impact our daily operations. In particular, we appreciate the team’s open and constant communication and progress reports. It really was a smooth and seamless build.”

Vantage worked closely with the Prime ATC grow team to create the new cultivation area. Vantage installed grow tables in the two flowering rooms, which are each 1,300 s/f, and a three-tier grow system in the mother vegetation room. Each room is constructed with interlocking, insulated metal PermaTherm wall and ceiling panels. Unistrut systems support the myriad grow lights and horizontal fans that create the environmental conditions necessary for therapeutic cannabis cultivation. Epoxy flooring coating, with an integral cove wall base going four inches up the wall, helps ensure a clean environment in the growing rooms.

The project included significant systems work. Vantage extended power from the building’s existing system to support the high power load demanded by cannabis cultivation. New HVAC systems deliver the precise temperature and humidity levels. Vantage installed three new Energy Recovery Units on the building’s roof, supported by steel dunnage platforms, as well as the necessary ductwork.

A building management system (BMS) integrates the control of electricity and HVAC systems, allowing the Prime ATC team to create the perfect environmental conditions for each individual room, including temperature ranges, light schedules, RH percentages, CO2 levels, and irrigation events. The BMS includes an app that enables the team to monitor the rooms remotely. Additionally, Vantage installed a new Dosatron fertigation system that allows Prime ATC to carefully and efficiently deliver nutrients to the growing plants.

“Cannabis cultivation projects are very challenging and require a strong, integrated team for success,” said John Connor, principal, Vantage Builders. 

“Each room – flowering, mother, dry room – has unique demands and requirements, so it’s almost like several different projects in one. Vantage Builders enjoys the challenge that cultivation projects present.”