Changing the Game with Pole Base at Clemson University’s Alumni and Visitors Center

THE CHALLENGE

Tight deadlines and unpredictable weather often make site lighting installation a logistical headache for contractors. Carolina Power, an electrical contractor in South Carolina, faced these exact challenges while working on the Clemson University Alumni and Visitors Center.

They needed a durable, efficient foundation solution that could withstand the elements and allow for fast, reliable installation—without the delays of traditional cast-in-place concrete. That’s where Georgia-Lina Precast stepped in with their precast light pole bases.

THE SOLUTION

Georgia-Lina supplied 49 round-smooth textured 7 ft 6 in (2.3m) x 24 in (609.6 mm) pole bases. By choosing precast over traditional cast-in-place methods, Carolina Power avoided weather delays and long cure times—allowing them to install quickly and efficiently.

Pole Base arrives on the job site ready for installation, unlike traditional cast-in-place foundations, which require multiple steps—including on-site rebar tying, concrete pouring, and extended cure times. Opting for precast saves time and ensures greater quality consistency, something challenging to achieve with on-site pours.

Carolina Power’s decision to use Pole Base for Clemson University’s Alumni and Visitors Center site lighting brought several key advantages:

• Controlled Manufacturing: The bases were manufactured in a controlled environment, ensuring precision in steel reinforcement, conduit placement, and anchor bolt positioning.

• Faster Installation: Unlike cast-in-place concrete, which requires bringing in ready-mix trucks, tying rebar, and dealing with on-site curing, Pole Base was simply delivered and installed.

• Cleaner Worksite: Avoiding on-site concrete pours helped keep the Clemson project site clean. There were no messy cardboard tube stripes on finished bases or delays due to weather or lengthy curing times.

• Aesthetic & Structural Benefits: The completed pole bases feature smooth finishes with beveled edges, offering a clean, professional look while maintaining structural integrity.

“It’s almost a no-brainer for these contractors,” says Georgia-Lina Precast’s Andrew Carr, an Outside Sales Rep for the company’s fleet of precast products, “you have concrete trucks coming in and tying up all these guys just to build one pole. We get it specified and build it in a controlled environment with a proper quality control program. And, you know, we have the logistics to get them out here quickly—especially in South Carolina.”

THE OUTCOME

The Clemson University Alumni and Visitors Center project is a testament to the advantages of Pole Base. With 49 units installed, the new center is taking shape in an iconic location near the university’s football stadium and is set to open in spring 2025.

Electrical Contractor Carolina Power took control of their schedule and on-site efficiency by choosing Pole Base from Georgia-Lina Precast. Their first experience with Pole Base precast foundations was a game-changer, cutting installation time in half and keeping the project on track. By opting for Pole Base, Carolina Power made installation faster, easier, and more predictable, proving that the proper foundation sets the stage for success.

"Pole Base made doing the site lighting a lot easier. We saved on labor and material costs, which would have doubled using cast-in-place bases.”

Gage Schatz, Assistant Project Manager, Carolina Power