Caledonia Argus

Construction moves on at new school site

Posted: 1/8/02

By Shannon McKinney
Argus News Reporter

Sunlight streaming through the high ceiling windows in the middle of the afternoon creates a relaxing atmosphere in the commons area of the new middle school/high school for ISD #299. Itís easy to imagine students taking their time enjoying lunch or feeling happy and productive during class because of the light. The building is being constructed to make the most out of the available light.

Construction workers on site appear to have an optimistic attitude while working. As Bruce Bulman, board chair for district #299, gave The Argus a tour of the school, he received many compliments from workers about what a nice school this would be.

In just nine months, the construction site will be a school, filled with students and staff. Construction began eight months ago in May 2001. It is scheduled to be completed by June 28, 2002. Staff for grades 6th through 12th may begin moving over to the high school sooner than that date, though.

The exact details of the retrofit of the high school will become more clear after bids are let, which is scheduled to happen in the next few weeks.

Bulman doesnít expect elementary students to move into the current high school until January 2003, at the earliest.

Right now, however, workers are busily laying more bricks to separate classrooms, putting on the base coat for walls, installing heating and ventilation ductwork and putting up columns.

Bulman said the work schedule is only a week and half behind due to a problem with the concrete. All of the concrete pours are now being monitored by Braun Intertec and have been excellent said Bulman. In an earlier article, it was stated that about 32,000 square feet of concrete would have to be either corrected or replaced. Bulman said it may be more beneficial to correct the floors by grinding off the high spots and filling in the low spots with a substance that is stronger than regular concrete rather than pulling it up and replacing it.

As of Thursday, January 3, almost half of the concrete floors have been poured. That includes floors which still needs to be corrected.

The buildingís exterior brick is being put up several weeks earlier than planned.

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