MATES Components Cleaning Building

Sidock Group, Inc. provided Design and Construction Administration services for the design and construction of a Components Cleaning Building located adjacent to the existing Maneuver Area Training Equipment Site (MATES) facility at Camp Grayling, Grayling, Michigan. The project objective was to construct an approximately 7,000-square-foot facility to support Army National Guard vehicle and equipment cleaning operations, including trailered howitzers and associated prime movers, following training and field exercises.

The building was designed utilizing standards established by a recently completed maintenance facility adjacent to the main MATES complex to ensure consistency with existing infrastructure, operational practices, and long-term maintainability. The facility supports both Michigan Army National Guard units and visiting units from other states and was specifically designed to accommodate large-scale troop and equipment movements associated with Michigan’s annual Northern Strike training exercise.

The facility was sited within a secured, fenced compound to provide controlled access and meet Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP) requirements, particularly given its proximity to adjacent Michigan Department of Natural Resources property. Site planning, access control, and building orientation were coordinated to support secure operations while maintaining efficient vehicle circulation.

Exterior improvements include a reinforced concrete wash pad located at the rear of the building, featuring two wash racks separated by a drive-down sediment ramp, four high-volume, low-pressure water cannons for initial equipment wash-down, and a concrete gravity oil/water separator designed to capture sediment, debris, and petroleum products. These systems were designed to support environmental compliance and prevent the discharge of contaminants in accordance with applicable federal, state, and installation environmental regulations.

Interior spaces include two full drive-through wash bays equipped with in-floor sediment trench drains with removable grates to facilitate efficient sediment removal using a backhoe or vacuum truck. The wash bays are outfitted with four high-pressure, hot-water power washing systems with overhead booms to provide 360-degree access for detailed cleaning operations. Due to the remote location of the facility, a dedicated water supply system was designed, consisting of an on-site well connected to an exterior in-ground storage tank and supplemented by an interior above-ground buffer tank. A centralized controls system was provided to support year-round operation of the wash systems while optimizing water usage and operational efficiency.

Additional interior program spaces include a small-arms weapons cleaning room equipped with solvent tanks and high-pressure air drops, latrine facilities, a combined mechanical, electrical, and IT room, janitorial space, and general storage areas. The building was designed as a pre-engineered metal building with exterior metal siding and interior metal liner panels for durability, ease of maintenance, and lifecycle cost efficiency. Translucent daylighting panels were incorporated to maximize natural lighting and reduce energy consumption, supporting sustainability and energy conservation objectives.

The project incorporated on-site wastewater storage and stormwater management systems designed in accordance with federal, state, and local regulatory requirements, as well as installation environmental policies. Site design measures were implemented to minimize environmental impact while maintaining operational readiness and long-term resilience. Design was completed in Fall 2022. Construction commenced in mid-2025, with final completion achieved in Winter 2025.