Lighting Up Learning: System Solutions of Washington Delivers Electrical Scope for Edmonds Elementary's New Covered Play Structure

System Solutions Of Washington • September 28, 2026

System Solutions of Washington partnered with Howard S. Wright — a Balfour Beatty company — to deliver the electrical scope for a new covered outdoor play structure at Edmonds Elementary School, bringing safe, all-weather play space to students in the Edmonds School District.

There's something meaningful about a project that directly improves the daily experience of kids at school.


This summer, Edmonds Elementary School — located at 1215 Olympic Avenue in Edmonds, Washington — gained something its students have needed: a covered outdoor play area that keeps them active and outside regardless of the Pacific Northwest's famously unpredictable weather. The project, commissioned by Edmonds School District No. 15 and designed by HKP Architects of Mount Vernon, WA, transformed an existing asphalt play area into a modern, covered recreational space built to last.


System Solutions of Washington served as the electrical subcontractor on the project, working alongside general contractor Howard S. Wright — a Balfour Beatty company and one of the Pacific Northwest's most established construction firms. Our scope included the lighting, intercom, and power systems that bring the new structure to life after the final bell rings and keep the space safe and functional year-round.


The Project: A Mass Timber Roof Over an Existing Play Area

The new covered play structure at Edmonds Elementary is an unenclosed mass timber roof structure supported by steel columns encased in concrete — a design that combines natural material warmth with structural durability. The structure spans the existing asphalt-paved play area, providing weather protection without enclosing the space, so students benefit from fresh air and natural light while staying dry during Edmonds' rainy season.

The project also included new basketball hoops and freshly painted striping for a variety of play activities — giving students a more organized, versatile outdoor space that supports physical activity throughout the school day.


Construction was carefully scheduled during summer break to minimize disruption to school operations, a logistical consideration that required tight coordination between the general contractor, subcontractors, and school district staff.


The Electrical Scope: Lighting, Intercom, and Power

For System Solutions of Washington, this project required delivering a clean, code-compliant electrical installation in an outdoor, exposed environment — a different set of challenges than a typical interior commercial build-out.


The electrical scope included:


  • Lighting fixtures — providing safe, adequate illumination for the covered play area during early morning, after-school, and evening use
  • Exposed conduit and wiring — installed to meet NEC requirements for outdoor and wet location installations, with materials and methods appropriate for a Pacific Northwest climate
  • Intercom system wiring — connecting the play area to the school's communications infrastructure for safety and supervision
  • Power scope — supporting the facility's operational needs under the new structure


Working in an active school environment — even during summer break — requires attention to safety, cleanliness, and coordination with other trades. Our team completed the electrical scope in sequence with the structural and civil work, ensuring the project stayed on schedule for the start of the new school year.


Partnering with Howard S. Wright

For System Solutions of Washington, working alongside Howard S. Wright on this project is a reflection of the kind of trusted subcontractor relationships we've built over years of commercial and institutional work in the greater Puget Sound area. When a general contractor of Howard S. Wright's caliber selects an electrical subcontractor, they're looking for reliability, code compliance, and the ability to coordinate seamlessly with other trades on a tight schedule. That's what we delivered.


Why School Electrical Projects Require Specialized Experience

Public school projects in Washington State come with a specific set of requirements that go beyond standard commercial electrical work:


Prevailing wage compliance — All public works projects in Washington, including school construction, require contractors to pay prevailing wages as established by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. System Solutions of Washington is fully compliant with prevailing wage requirements on all public works projects.


Outdoor and wet location wiring standards — NEC Article 225 and 230 govern outdoor wiring installations, and NEC 410.10 specifies requirements for luminaires in wet and damp locations. A covered but unenclosed structure like this play area requires careful selection of fixtures, conduit types, and installation methods to ensure long-term performance in the Pacific Northwest climate.


Coordination with school operations — Summer construction windows are tight. School districts need facilities ready before students return in the fall. This requires electrical contractors who can commit to a schedule, communicate proactively with the GC, and complete inspections on time.


Life safety integration — Even a covered play structure requires consideration of emergency lighting, egress, and intercom connectivity to the main school building. These aren't afterthoughts — they're part of a well-designed school facility.


Edmonds School District No. 15: Investing in Student Environments

Edmonds School District No. 15 serves communities across Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Woodway, and portions of Shoreline and Kenmore — a district that has consistently invested in modernizing its facilities to support student wellbeing and academic success.

Projects like the Edmonds Elementary covered play structure reflect a broader commitment across Snohomish County school districts to improve outdoor learning and recreation environments. Covered play structures extend the usable school day outdoors, reduce weather-related disruptions to physical education, and provide students with spaces that support both structured activity and unstructured play — all of which contribute to student health and engagement.


For System Solutions of Washington, projects like this one are a reminder of why the work matters. Every circuit we run, every fixture we hang, every conduit we install in a school building is part of an environment where kids spend a significant portion of their childhood. Getting it right isn't just a code requirement — it's a responsibility.


About System Solutions of Washington

System Solutions of Washington is a licensed commercial and industrial electrical contractor based in Lynnwood, WA. We serve general contractors, school districts, developers, and public agencies throughout King, Snohomish, Pierce, and Whatcom counties — delivering electrical systems for new construction, modernizations, tenant improvements, and infrastructure upgrades across the greater Puget Sound region.


Our K-12 portfolio includes projects at Kopachuck Middle School (partnered with Schwiesow Construction), Franklin Pierce High School, and now Edmonds Elementary School — each one a reflection of our commitment to delivering quality electrical work in the communities where we live and work.


Working on a school project or public works contract in the Puget Sound area? We'd like to be on your bid list.

📞 (425) 249-2076 ✉️ fredw@systemsolutionswa.com 🌐 systemsolutionswa.com


Serving Seattle, Everett, Bellevue, Lynnwood, Edmonds, and communities throughout King, Snohomish, Pierce, and Whatcom County.

System Solutions of Washington LLC is a licensed electrical contractor based in Lynnwood, WA. Certified electricians perform all electrical work in compliance with Washington State L&I requirements, prevailing wage law, and the adopted National Electrical Code.

Powering a Community's Future: System Solutions of Washington and the Tulalip Utilities Facility Upgrade

By System Solutions Of Washington • August 17, 2026
System Solutions of Washington partnered with LCi | Lincoln Construction, Inc. to deliver the complete electrical scope for the Tulalip Utilities Department's newly upgraded 7,800-square-foot facility — a project nearly two years in the making that now serves as the operational backbone of the Tulalip community's water and wastewater infrastructure. Some projects are about more than electrical systems. They're about the people who depend on them. The Tulalip Utilities Department serves the Tulalip Tribes community in Snohomish County, Washington — managing the water and wastewater systems that keep homes, businesses, and tribal facilities running. For years, the department operated out of a building constructed in the early 1960s. By the time planning for a replacement began in 2021, the facility had outlived its useful life. Electrical systems no longer met code. Foundation cracks, roof leaks, mold — including some of the most hazardous varieties — and even wildlife infestations had made the building a health and safety concern for the employees who worked there every day. "The building was just timed out," said Mike Leslie, Tulalip Utilities Operations Administrator. "It was built in the early 60s, so it had seen its useful days." The solution was a ground-up replacement: a modern, 2-story, 7,800-square-foot facility designed to serve the Tulalip community for decades. System Solutions of Washington was selected to deliver the electrical scope, working alongside general contractor LCi | Lincoln Construction, Inc. — a Puget Sound-based firm with over 70 years of experience building schools, municipal facilities, and commercial projects across Western Washington. The ribbon was cut on May 25, 2026, with Tulalip Tribes Chairman Hazen Shopbell presiding over the celebration. A Facility Built for the Community It Serves The new Tulalip Utilities building wasn't designed simply to replace what was lost. It was designed to improve every aspect of how the department operates and serves its community. Customer Service: The new layout brings reception staff and billing specialists together in a single, accessible location — making it easier for tribal community members and utilities customers to get questions answered quickly and efficiently. The previous facility lacked a proper customer-facing space. Laboratory Capabilities: The centerpiece of the new building is an upgraded laboratory that allows Tulalip Utilities to process water and wastewater samples required under updated Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) permits. The new lab provides sampling capabilities and equipment that position the department to meet regulatory requirements well into the future. Employee Safety and Wellbeing: The previous building posed documented health risks to employees — including three types of mold, structural deterioration, and pest infestations. The new facility was designed from the ground up with employee health, safety, and comfort as a priority.  Future Growth: Additional space was built into the structure to accommodate employee expansion as the Tulalip community continues to grow. The facility was designed not just for today's needs, but for the next generation of utility operations.
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