We are pleased to present our Winter 2010 Newsletter packed with company updates, new fabrication methods, and recently completed projects and photographs. Please visit COST's website for the very latest on these projects and many more.     In This Issue Trade Show News Wyndham Resort, WI Dells Marc Heitz Chevrolet Antelope Creek, Lincoln, NE     Trade Show News: COST will be resuming its trade show season starting in April 2010. The National Indian Gaming Conference (NIGA) will be held in San Diego CA, April 6-9. Our team will be in booth 1335. Please be sure to stop by and say hello.           At a Glance: The Winter Newsletter highlights several projects that involve simulated rockwork; a craft COST has improved upon for over 50 years. Because our projects are so diverse, from water features, sculpted items, and artistic pieces, we rarely get to focus on a particular construction process in our Newsletter. This quarter, we will primarily discuss rockwork, in both GFRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete) and hand carved applications.           Wyndham Resort, Wisconsin Dells, WI COST has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with Wyndham Vacation Ownership, Inc. and was recently hired to develop a new themed lobby interior in Wisconsin Dells. The project originated with a clay model to provide the owner and consultants a three dimensional view of the final project. The rock façade was developed using GFRC panels that were molded from rock indigenous to the Wisconsin Dells area. We currently maintain the largest inventory of rock castings in the industry. The panels were then shipped to the project site where they were erected according to the approved scale model. "This project was particularly challenging as the space was small and all the high end finishes had to be protected from damage", says Rick Ullius, COST's Director of Project Management. The final touches required COST personnel to set all the faux vegetation within the rock outcroppings and coordinate the placement of the statuary on top of the decorative feature. The new lobby offers a warm, outdoorsy atmosphere for weary travelers and Wyndham Vacation home owners.     Wyndham Resort                 Marc Heitz Chevrolet's New Showroom The new Marc Heitz Chevrolet in Norman, OK www.marcheitzchevy.com  is now bigger and better than ever. The facility is the largest in the state of Oklahoma with over 1,000 vehicles on the 14 acre property. This new and revolutionary concept in auto dealerships contains attractions and activities for the entire family. The property includes 2 dog parks (one for large dogs, one for small dogs), an outdoor concert amphitheater, two playgrounds and accent water features. The new 70,000 sq. ft. showroom contains another playground and an impressive 32' tall waterfall and 4,500 gallon freshwater aquarium. This large waterfall and aquarium serves as an interesting backdrop for high end vehicles. Casting demonstrations will be a part of the activities catering to the outdoorsman. COST was contracted by the dealership to develop the exterior water features and construct the waterfall façade, complete the aquarium, and finish all plumbing/LSS for the fish that will inhabit the aquarium. This project involved structural work, mechanical expertise, and a great deal of artistry. A three part painting process was used to create a detailed and realistic cliff appearance. Artisans from COST's crew also painted small lichens on the rock for a more authentic finish. The project was completed in fall of 2009.     Marc Heitz Chevrolet                 Antelope Creek Improvements, Lincoln NE The restoration and redevelopment Antelope Valley Creek Project is a flood control, transportation and community revitalization project for the City of Lincoln, NE. The project was a partnership between the NRD (Natural Resources District), the City of Lincoln and the University of Nebraska. The NRD's main role in the project was flood control. The redeveloped river will now carry excess runoff from a 100-year rain event without overflow. This Army Corps of Engineers project involved constructing stepped concrete waterways complete with decorative simulated rock. COST was hired by Park Construction to construct over 11,000 sq. ft. of rockwork. The rock was carved, colored and aged to resemble the natural limestone found within the region. The project is not only functional; it will also create a more aesthetically pleasing waterway for surrounding downtown and park areas. Our team was proud to be an integral part of this park's beautification process.     Antelope Creek                 Tech Forum Our winter 2010 tech forum will address the model process mentioned in the stories above. Unlike most projects where the design drives construction work; when developing theme features, sculptures, and decorative rockwork, the model is often more useful than drawings. Drawings are somewhat limited in the information that can be presented due to the 2D format whereas a scale model illustrates in 3D. In the rockwork process, a model is utilized for several purposes. First, it is an approval tool for owners, designers, consultants, etc. Once approved, the model is used for a second time in prefabrication. The model is numerically tagged to build steel armatures for rock features. Finally, it is shipped to the jobsite for a steel work guide and as a baseline for the approved style and texture of the rockwork. Scale models are built for most of our theme construction and rockwork projects. It has proved to be an invaluable tool in preconstruction meetings, in prefabrication and throughout the construction process.     Model of Africa Live     The Short List A Few Projects Underway Little Rock Zoo, Penguin Exhibit Bermuda Zoo & Aquarium, Madagascar Exhibit Kansas City Zoo, Polar Bear Exhibit Ferrari Theme Park, Abu Dhabi, UAE Dallas Zoo, African Savanna, Phase II California Living Museum Stay tuned for more details on these and other exciting projects.                       For more information about any of our projects, contact: Christopher Foster, Seattle, WA at 888-567-2678 Jeffrey Sheiber, Orlando, FL at 800-221-7625 ext 2101 Glenn Barnard, Orlando, FL at 800-221-7625 ext 2104 John W. Hawkinson, Jackson, WI at 800-221-7625 ext 6033 Mohamed Al Sayed, Dubai, UAE at + (971)-4-397-8836 http://www.costofwisconsin.com/