(Above) The newly constructed Thunderbird Country Club located in Palm Springs.

ROEL Construction Company can make many claims. First off it is the largest privately owned construction firm in the United States. It is also one of the oldest, founded in 1917. ROEL Construction Company has been headquartered in San Diego since 1959. Located adjacent to the San Diego Sports Arena, the company is a full service construction firm that has been involved in a wide range of projects. "If it can be built we have the personnel, facilities and capability to do it," said Bill Carter, company general superintendent for Las Vegas. In addition to their San Diego headquarters, ROEL Construction has offices located in Irvine and Palm Springs, California, Las Vegas, Nevada and Phoenix, Arizona.

ROEL Construction is unique in this day of conglomerate owned and operated companies. It is the largest privately owned and controlled construction firm in the country. The family ownership extends to the way they view their employees. "I've been in the construction business for 38 years," said Carter. "I've been a project manager and superintendent for 30 years and have worked for some pretty impressive companies over this time. ROEL is a top-notch family oriented company. The philosophy and attitude of the company is one that operates like one big family with regard to their employees. This is a company that takes care of their own." ROEL Construction currently has a staff of approximately 350 full time employees.

(Above) Somewhere between eight to ten thousand yards of earth were moved to make way for the new clubhouse facilities, which boasts a 9,000 square-foot basement that is used for storage as well as a wine cellar and private dining room. A wide range of equipment was used during construction including wheel loaders, dozers, excavators and skid steer loaders.

"We've done just about everything you can imagine when it comes to construction, except for road work," said Carter. "ROEL has built many of QUALCOMM'S facilities here in San Diego as well as in Las Vegas and Boulder, Colorado. We are one of the primary contractors on the new San Diego Padres PETCOPark being built in downtown San Diego.

ROEL Construction recently completed construction of the Thunderbird Country Club in Palm Springs. Thunderbird is the oldest and certainly one of the most prestigious country clubs in the entire state. Thunderbird's history has many firsts. It was the first 18-hole golf course built in California. The first golf cart was invented for use specifically at Thunderbird, which meant that the country club was the first in the nation to have cart paths built along its golf course. It was also the first golf course with a residential community concept. Another little known fact is that Ford Motor Company's Thunderbird was named after the country club of which a Ford executive was a member at the time.

Needless to say when it was time for the construction of a new clubhouse facility only the best was acceptable. ROEL Construction's long history of golf course and country club construction made it the perfect match for the job. Thunderbird's old clubhouse was completely demolished to make way for the new 49,520 square-foot clubhouse that included a new 9,000 square-foot basement and a 6,900 square-foot fitness center. The six-month pre-construction phase started in the beginning of 2002 with the demolition of the former clubhouse taking place in June of the same year.

(Above) Thunderbird's old clubhouse was completely demolished to make way for the new 49,520 square-foot clubhouse that included a new 9,000 square foot basement and a 6,900 square-foot fitness center. Altevers Associates designed the clubhouse and ROEL Construction worked hand in hand with them during all phases of construction.

As to be expected of a topnotch project, the $18 million Thunderbird construction job was strictly a first class operation. Altevers Associates designed the clubhouse and ROEL Construction worked hand in hand with them during all phases of construction. Somewhere between eight to ten thousand yards of earth were moved to make way for the new clubhouse facilities, which boasts a 9,000 square-foot basement that is used for storage as well as a wine cellar and private dining room. A wide range of equipment was used during construction including loaders, dozers and excavators. Seven hundred tons of Ozark stone were brought in from Oklahoma and used throughout the facility.

As one might expect of a project of this nature, the clubhouse boast many amenities. It contains four large fireplaces, one of which is 35 feet tall and built out of Ozark stone. The clubhouse itself is built around an immense courtyard. ROEL Construction imported Fossil stone from India for paving in the main atrium and courtyard. The clubhouse has a gabled mill worked wood cubicle ceiling. The 1,500 square-foot carpeting for the entry way was imported from England and ran $300 per square-yard. The clubhouse itself has a casual dining room and lounge as well as a formal dining room. The men and women's locker rooms both have private card rooms and dining rooms. The facility also has a large ballroom capable of hosting a capacity crowd of 350. The three bars located in the facilities are all constructed out of imported Honduras mahogany.

(Above) As to be expected of a topnotch project, the $18 million Thunderbird construction job was strictly a first class operation. Seven hundred tons of Ozark stone were brought in from Oklahoma and used throughout the facility.

Needless to say ROEL Construction faced their share of challenges undertaking a job of this magnitude and scope, the least of which was how to keep the clubhouse open for its members after the old one was demolished. While the new facilities were under construction mobile units were brought in and set up to serve as a temporary clubhouse complete with private men and women's locker rooms and dining areas. ROEL also had to work under time constraints set up by the city. No work could be started before 7 a.m. and all work for the day had to be completed and crews gone no later than 7 p.m. Thunderbird also required that construction be completed no later than December of 2003. These demands and constraints were taken in stride. As to be expected of a company of ROEL Construction's stature, they completed the project ahead of schedule and under budget. "We (ROEL) have a long history of this type of construction," Carter explained. "And can handle just about anything that comes our way. We were the contractor for the Agua Caliente Casino in Palm Springs. We built the Indian Ridge Contry Club in Palm Springs, the Four Seasons Resort in Carlsbad, and the Eldorado Country Club in Indian Wells. You can say we have more than just a little experience in this type of project. Another division of the company that has really taken off in recent years is our forensics consulting. We have a topnotch team that works with attorneys exclusively in the area of building forensics."

It is truly rare in today's economy to find a privately owned business that keeps the interests of its employees a top priority. The same can be said about the way ROEL Construction does business with their clients. "ROEL's philosophy with regard to our clients is that we do everything we can to facilitate their needs and treat them as family," said Carter. Whether it is on a consulting level, tenant renovation or the complete demolition of an existing structure and construction of a new one, ROEL is number one in building. They do it the old fashion way, with care and expertise.