Navigating Complex Structural Challenges with Practical Solutions

David Cumming, Principal at RLG Consulting Engineers with nearly 28 years of experience, discusses his work on various projects, including his long-term involvement with Great Wolf Lodge since 2005. He shares insights into the challenges of managing large-scale renovations and additions, particularly in environments where guest operations must continue seamlessly. David talks about the importance of practical solutions in structural engineering, highlighting a recent job where a column had to be removed to prevent a roof collapse. He also reflects on the success of the Fairfield Hotel renovation and the role of forensic analysis in solving complex structural issues.

RLG has had a long-standing relationship with Great Wolf Lodge. What kind of continued work has grown out of that partnership, whether it's renovations, expansions, or structural evaluations, and how has the collaboration evolved over time?

"I’ve been fortunate to work with Great Wolf Lodge since 2005, and over nearly two decades that relationship has grown into a trusted partnership. We’ve supported the resort through major additions, full-scale renovations, expansions of water park areas, elevator installations, and countless structural evaluations. What started as a single project evolved into ongoing collaboration where our team provides practical solutions, risk assessments, and phasing plans that keep the resorts operating safely while improvements are made. One thing that stands out with Great Wolf Lodge is how condensed the construction period could be, there’s a lot of hands-on coordination to make sure everything fits together as it should. Buildings are giant puzzles, and if the pieces don’t come together well, it makes things very challenging for everyone involved. Part of my role is troubleshooting all those pieces as they come together so the owner, architect, and other trades can work with a solid, reliable skeleton as the building gets finished out. It’s been rewarding to see these projects come full circle, not just professionally, but personally too. My family and I have visited Great Wolf Lodge many times over 20 years, and my kids practically grew up knowing the place inside and out. Seeing guests enjoy the spaces we helped design really brings it home why this work matters."

How does RLG approach structural assessments and forensic analysis to identify existing conditions or challenges before construction begins? Can you walk us through a recent example?

"At RLG, our approach to structural assessments and forensic work starts with digging deep to truly understand what’s there before we ever start construction. Our Forensics department is trained to look for hidden risks, whether it’s corrosion, previous changes of use, or construction issues, and then taking what we know and developing solutions that are practical and safe. A recent example was a job site visit i went on this week where a column needed to be removed. The challenge was that removing it the wrong way could have brought down the roof. My team and I provided options and a clear plan to get that column out safely, all while helping the general contractor identify risks early and act on them. That’s the value of thorough forensic analysis, we help owners and contractors see what’s really going on structurally and solve it before it becomes a bigger problem."

How do you balance maintaining guest operations with structural upgrades or renovations in active hospitality environments like hotels or resorts? What kind of coordination or phasing strategies have you found most effective?

"Working in an active hotel or resort always requires careful planning and teamwork. With Great Wolf Lodge, for example, the priority is always keeping guests safe and comfortable while upgrades happen behind the scenes. We phase the work to limit disruption, whether that’s tackling renovations in smaller sections, scheduling structural work during slower seasons, or coordinating closely with the contractor to handle the messier tasks when they’ll have the least impact. A good example is the Fairfield Hotel renovation, where we reconfigured the entire building layout and added an elevator. Even with all those changes, parts of the hotel stayed open. It takes thoughtful scheduling and a clear plan to keep operations running smoothly while still delivering the structural improvements owners need."