From high-stakes basketball games to sold-out concerts, Paycom Center has brought the citizens of Oklahoma City together for decades. But after nearly 30 years of service, it needed a major upgrade.
The situation
The challenge was immense: build a completely new system on the same site as the old utility center, do not disrupt the operation of the existing heating and cooling system and maintain a minimum water temperature of 120 °F. Time was another factor. A project of this scale would normally take 12 to 18 months, but this project had to be completed in just seven. There was no room for error, and that’s when the team brought Grundfos in.
The solution
Working closely with United Mechanical, Engineered Equipment Inc. and FSB Architects & Engineers, Grundfos provided a solution that addressed every challenge.
The key was a modular approach in which heating and cooling equipment, including boilers, pumps, drives and controls, were mounted on skids. This allowed everything to be installed while the old system kept running.
At the core of the upgrade are Grundfos CR vertical multi-stage pumps, which are compact, quiet, efficient and easy to maintain. Alongside the pumps, Grundfos delivered a CU352 pump controller that protects the system and optimizes performance, ensuring the arena only uses the energy it needs, exactly when it needs it.
Grundfos CR pumps are vertical, making them perfect for tight spaces.
Together with our partners, Grundfos brought a completely new heating and cooling system online without disrupting the one already in operation.
The outcome
Nearly a year after commissioning, the pumps continue to operate flawlessly, keeping every fan in the stands, every performer on stage and every player on court comfortable at all times.
While the performance of the pumps is critical, the project’s success ultimately came down to strong collaboration and attention to detail. Every pump and controller was tested upon arrival, ensuring a smooth and efficient installation process.
According to Todd Lewis, General Manager of the utility, that professionalism is what truly set Grundfos apart:
- Grundfos was extremely valuable in their ability to understand what we were asking for, and that allowed us to drive to the solution we ended up with. It worked out extremely well.
Strong collaboration across all parties cut the project's timeline from 12–18 months to just 7 months.
It’s the perfect solution. No other pump, in my opinion, would have been anywhere near as effective in the layout and the performance.