... I might as well chew on this bone for a while, I'll be pushing eight years old when this project gets done !Tuesday, September 30, 2008
BOB says ...
... I might as well chew on this bone for a while, I'll be pushing eight years old when this project gets done !
STUCK ON MONDAY ...
You know there is a lot going on when you come to work on Monday and before you know it … it’s Monday again. There are no days, no weeks, no months, just Monday. So, yes, we’ve got plenty here to keep us busy and a lot of Monday’s to go.
Now to the exciting stuff …
I’ve posted quite a few pictures this time of what’s taken place. They’ll make more sense to you as time goes on.
Mediacom moved its cable off Xcel’s old poles and now these can be removed to complete our final water connection and new pressure relief valve, which will happen Wednesday, October 1st @ 3:30 p.m. – the water will be shut down for three hours while this is put in place.
Xcel has also added two more sets of lights to help light up our new parking lot until we get the permanent poles in mid November.
Klamm Plumbing is currently installing the new natural gas lines, which go up the building on the west side, over the roof and down through the roof into the boiler room.
The new HS/MS/Guidance/Nurse’s office area is really starting to take shape. I was advised they could be moved into their new area by mid November.
They started removing hallway ceilings down the senior wing and the hallway on the east side of the cafeteria. The ceilings are being removed to accommodate new water lines, a sprinkler system, new hallway lighting and new suspended ceiling that will clear the old ceiling of all those computer and fire alarm wires and pipes. You need to remember that we are not just adding onto the building but everything in the existing building will be remodeled, such as flooring, lockers, lavatories and all ceilings. It will be like a brand new building when it’s done.
Met-Con will start demo and construction on the SW lavatories across from the band and choir room around October 14th.
Demo and construction on the District Office (currently the HS/MS/Nurse’s office) will start the end of November along with the lavatories across from the old weight room (the new HS/MS/Guidance/Nurse’s office).
By week’s end you should start seeing 30 foot high columns going up for the auditorium and in December the pre-cast walls will start to go up for the field house. The highest part of the field house will be 44 foot. For comparison the ceiling height of the inside of the high school gym is 21 feet.
Now to the exciting stuff …
I’ve posted quite a few pictures this time of what’s taken place. They’ll make more sense to you as time goes on.
Mediacom moved its cable off Xcel’s old poles and now these can be removed to complete our final water connection and new pressure relief valve, which will happen Wednesday, October 1st @ 3:30 p.m. – the water will be shut down for three hours while this is put in place.
Xcel has also added two more sets of lights to help light up our new parking lot until we get the permanent poles in mid November.
Klamm Plumbing is currently installing the new natural gas lines, which go up the building on the west side, over the roof and down through the roof into the boiler room.
The new HS/MS/Guidance/Nurse’s office area is really starting to take shape. I was advised they could be moved into their new area by mid November.
They started removing hallway ceilings down the senior wing and the hallway on the east side of the cafeteria. The ceilings are being removed to accommodate new water lines, a sprinkler system, new hallway lighting and new suspended ceiling that will clear the old ceiling of all those computer and fire alarm wires and pipes. You need to remember that we are not just adding onto the building but everything in the existing building will be remodeled, such as flooring, lockers, lavatories and all ceilings. It will be like a brand new building when it’s done.
Met-Con will start demo and construction on the SW lavatories across from the band and choir room around October 14th.
Demo and construction on the District Office (currently the HS/MS/Nurse’s office) will start the end of November along with the lavatories across from the old weight room (the new HS/MS/Guidance/Nurse’s office).
By week’s end you should start seeing 30 foot high columns going up for the auditorium and in December the pre-cast walls will start to go up for the field house. The highest part of the field house will be 44 foot. For comparison the ceiling height of the inside of the high school gym is 21 feet.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Bob asks ... Who is this guy ???
The Guy Behind BOB
· Son of Patsy and the late Louie Davisson / born 11/25/53’
· Mom worked for school district for over 20 years
· Dad was a mail carrier for 35 years / member of the 52’ Bears State champs
· I’ve lived in Cannon Falls my whole life.
· I’m a dog lover and have had 13 dogs so far - Pepper, Shinner, Punky, Starsky, Ace, Bandit, Scooter, Bo, Trixie, Brutus, Blondie, Annie and Spot. Bob, who I feature in my blog, is my grand dog.
· I started playing sports when I was 4 years old, thanks to Jeroy Carlson and Dad & Mom
· Was involved in jazz band and art (Myron Johnson) and sports (Mac & Hawks)
· Was captain of our track team - had a few school records and kicked a few footballs
· During school I cleaned the Post Office on Saturdays and cleaned and did dishes at the Country Club
· Graduated in 1972 from Cannon
· Married Deb Becksted in 1972’. She had moved here from Edina in 1969. Deb is a nurse and works in the Burn Clinic at Regions Hospital.
· Worked at Point of Sales for a year.
· Our first son, Josh was born the summer of 1973’. He is the Business Manager for the school district and has been a coach for over 10 years.
· August 15th, 1973, I was hired by the school district and started work at the Old Elementary under Elmer Lundell.
· Our second son, Jake was born the summer of 1975’. He was the Payroll Manager for the school district and now does the same thing for Xcel Energy. He is involved in music, playing guitar.
· In the late 70’s, I was president of ‘Small Town Truckers’, the local van club in town.
· In 1980, I moved from the Elementary School to the High School to take the retiring Gust Johnson’s place under Arleigh Berg.
· In 1982, I was named Head Custodian of the High School.
· For four years in the mid 80’s, I was a part-time Police Officer and Captain of the 17 member Police Reserve unit in Cannon Falls, while still working full-time at the school.
· In 1992, I was named District Head of Operations & Maintenance for the school district and was also the Head Custodian for the High School.
· This spring, I was named to be the Construction Coordinator for the school’s remodeling and addition project.
· Over my 35 years with the school district, I’ve been involved with the cleaning, maintenance, operations and changes that have taken place in our buildings ( Vasa, Wastedo, Old Elementary, Bus Garage, High School, New Elementary, Cannon Community Center and the Army Reserve building.
I’ve designed and help design different room changes and the Community Center.
This project has been a long time coming and it’s great to see it happening and being able to be a part of it. There are also other projects that we will be taking care of over the next four years that will give the Cannon Falls school district and our Community, facilities that will take care of all of us for the next twenty years and better.
· Son of Patsy and the late Louie Davisson / born 11/25/53’
· Mom worked for school district for over 20 years
· Dad was a mail carrier for 35 years / member of the 52’ Bears State champs
· I’ve lived in Cannon Falls my whole life.
· I’m a dog lover and have had 13 dogs so far - Pepper, Shinner, Punky, Starsky, Ace, Bandit, Scooter, Bo, Trixie, Brutus, Blondie, Annie and Spot. Bob, who I feature in my blog, is my grand dog.
· I started playing sports when I was 4 years old, thanks to Jeroy Carlson and Dad & Mom
· Was involved in jazz band and art (Myron Johnson) and sports (Mac & Hawks)
· Was captain of our track team - had a few school records and kicked a few footballs
· During school I cleaned the Post Office on Saturdays and cleaned and did dishes at the Country Club
· Graduated in 1972 from Cannon
· Married Deb Becksted in 1972’. She had moved here from Edina in 1969. Deb is a nurse and works in the Burn Clinic at Regions Hospital.
· Worked at Point of Sales for a year.
· Our first son, Josh was born the summer of 1973’. He is the Business Manager for the school district and has been a coach for over 10 years.
· August 15th, 1973, I was hired by the school district and started work at the Old Elementary under Elmer Lundell.
· Our second son, Jake was born the summer of 1975’. He was the Payroll Manager for the school district and now does the same thing for Xcel Energy. He is involved in music, playing guitar.
· In the late 70’s, I was president of ‘Small Town Truckers’, the local van club in town.
· In 1980, I moved from the Elementary School to the High School to take the retiring Gust Johnson’s place under Arleigh Berg.
· In 1982, I was named Head Custodian of the High School.
· For four years in the mid 80’s, I was a part-time Police Officer and Captain of the 17 member Police Reserve unit in Cannon Falls, while still working full-time at the school.
· In 1992, I was named District Head of Operations & Maintenance for the school district and was also the Head Custodian for the High School.
· This spring, I was named to be the Construction Coordinator for the school’s remodeling and addition project.
· Over my 35 years with the school district, I’ve been involved with the cleaning, maintenance, operations and changes that have taken place in our buildings ( Vasa, Wastedo, Old Elementary, Bus Garage, High School, New Elementary, Cannon Community Center and the Army Reserve building.
I’ve designed and help design different room changes and the Community Center.
This project has been a long time coming and it’s great to see it happening and being able to be a part of it. There are also other projects that we will be taking care of over the next four years that will give the Cannon Falls school district and our Community, facilities that will take care of all of us for the next twenty years and better.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Reflections ... by Bob
Well, it's the start of another school year and things are really changing quick for me. Not that they need to speed up more, especially when I'm already living 7 years to your one. This school thing is new to me. I got all pumped up about it. Went out and bought me a new 'who let the dogs out' backpack and a blackberry phone, so I could keep connected with my fav five, only to find out I gotta stay home ! So now, I play pretend school during the day when my family is gone and having fun at school and I wait patiently for them to come back home. Sometimes I come out and sit by the garage and watch grass grow, but that's starting to slow down this time of year also. Hey, don't even say it. I'm a sofisticated dog - I use the bathrroom. All and all, Dave tells me that even with all that's happening with the new construction, it's actually going pretty good. The students have been great and have adapted to the changes from day one. There is a ton of work to be completed yet but it will go quick. I can't wait to check out the new auditorium, fieldhouse, etc. I know this guy who knows this guy, so I'm sure I'll get to check things out, especially since he's using my likeness on his update site, and then I can officially get my letter (M) and become a BOMBER and not a BOBER.
Thanks and take care ~
BOB
... And The Beat Goes On
The construction process has been going well ... and that's what it is, is a process. As you can see in some of the pictures I've posted - footings for the new auto shop, construction classroom and receiving area are in and the walls are starting to go up. The current wood and auto shops will change into the wood shop, allowing for more room in that area. Out front, footings have been poured for the main lobby and the west wall of the new band room. Footings for the auditorium and field house will begin next week. As you can also see in posted pictures, that the new HS/MS/Nurse/Guidance office area is progressing. Walls will start getting framed this week. Rerouting of the gas lines and the sanitary sewer will also happen next week. Xcel Energy set new poles and moved their wire last Saturday. Mediacom will move their wire this week and then the old poles will be removed so we can make our last water line tie in and finish installing some valves. The new Alternative Learning Program was able to move into their new classrooms at the Community Center this week. A new sidewalk and stairs will be installed shortly on the north side of the Community Center.
Parking Lot
Education Update
NEW PARKING LOT
There has been a lot of discussion about the High School’s new parking lot. I want to assure everyone that we know about the grade from South to North and we did consider other alternatives. The main reasons for the 5.5% grade are for us to keep water out of the new addition (we do not want to battle mold issues) and we want to match the current landscape.
We are confident that we will be able to maintain the parking lot throughout the winter and make it safe for everyone. In fact, we believe the slope will help with any snow or ice melt because it will drain very well.
Temporary lights are coming soon and eventually light poles, bushes, trees, signage, benches, etc. will be added in the near future.
If you actually stand in the parking lot, it looks very good. In fact, if you look from West to East while you are standing in the parking lot it is basically level. There is a 1% grade going east to west from the new addition to keep the water out of the new addition.
The parking lot has an optical illusion effect to it. Driving by it on HWY 19 compared to standing on it gives you different views. Realize that the slope on HWY 19 going from east to west drops down about 6 feet. HWY 19 is not level. If you stand in the southeast corner of the new lot and look east toward the Elementary School and then look west, you’ll see that the new parking lot follows the same grade.
Elevations play into the looks and the slope of the lot. When you turn off of HWY19 and go down the main road to the High School, there is a drop of elevation of about 10 ½ feet. The new addition will be closer to HWY 19 and the drop will still be 10 ½ feet. Since the new addition must remain level with the current High School facility, the slope is going to be steeper from HWY 19 to the new addition.
Mn Dot regulates the slope for our entrances for turning onto or off of HWY 19. Engineering on the project requires a 5.5% grade from South to North toward our drains near the new addition and a 1% grade away from the new addition. If we reverse this either the water will drain into the new addition or the parking lot will look like a warped board. By the way, the City Parking lot has a slope of 7%.
The drainage will be great on the lot and actually during the winter when the snow and ice melt, it will drain right away and will not sit in the same place to thaw and refreeze day in and day out like it would on a level surface.
If you have any questions about this, please give either Dave Davisson or Todd Sesker a call and we will be more than happy to visit with you and bring you to the site to explain this in greater detail.
Dave Davisson
Todd Sesker
NEW PARKING LOT
There has been a lot of discussion about the High School’s new parking lot. I want to assure everyone that we know about the grade from South to North and we did consider other alternatives. The main reasons for the 5.5% grade are for us to keep water out of the new addition (we do not want to battle mold issues) and we want to match the current landscape.
We are confident that we will be able to maintain the parking lot throughout the winter and make it safe for everyone. In fact, we believe the slope will help with any snow or ice melt because it will drain very well.
Temporary lights are coming soon and eventually light poles, bushes, trees, signage, benches, etc. will be added in the near future.
If you actually stand in the parking lot, it looks very good. In fact, if you look from West to East while you are standing in the parking lot it is basically level. There is a 1% grade going east to west from the new addition to keep the water out of the new addition.
The parking lot has an optical illusion effect to it. Driving by it on HWY 19 compared to standing on it gives you different views. Realize that the slope on HWY 19 going from east to west drops down about 6 feet. HWY 19 is not level. If you stand in the southeast corner of the new lot and look east toward the Elementary School and then look west, you’ll see that the new parking lot follows the same grade.
Elevations play into the looks and the slope of the lot. When you turn off of HWY19 and go down the main road to the High School, there is a drop of elevation of about 10 ½ feet. The new addition will be closer to HWY 19 and the drop will still be 10 ½ feet. Since the new addition must remain level with the current High School facility, the slope is going to be steeper from HWY 19 to the new addition.
Mn Dot regulates the slope for our entrances for turning onto or off of HWY 19. Engineering on the project requires a 5.5% grade from South to North toward our drains near the new addition and a 1% grade away from the new addition. If we reverse this either the water will drain into the new addition or the parking lot will look like a warped board. By the way, the City Parking lot has a slope of 7%.
The drainage will be great on the lot and actually during the winter when the snow and ice melt, it will drain right away and will not sit in the same place to thaw and refreeze day in and day out like it would on a level surface.
If you have any questions about this, please give either Dave Davisson or Todd Sesker a call and we will be more than happy to visit with you and bring you to the site to explain this in greater detail.
Dave Davisson
Todd Sesker
Thursday, September 4, 2008
ON and OFF
Hi ! It's me again ... BOB ~
Dave had to go and get me more food, so he wanted me to let you know a couple of things. He says he'll be doing another update this weekend also.
* LIGHTS ON THE TENNIS COURTS ARE NOW OPERATIONAL !
( this also means there is power back to the football/track/softball crow’s nest out back )
( When needed, The hour timer switch will allow the lights to be turned on between the hours of 5:30 p.m. & 10:00 p.m. – 7 days a week )
( the middle two lights on the east side are not working / may be fuses or bulbs ~ it will be checked into shortly )
ELECTRICITY TO THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WILL BE SHUT OFF THIS SATURDAY ( September 6th ) BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 7 a.m. & 10 a.m.,
( I’ve been advised this will not effect the High School’s power )
Xcel Energy will be transferring wires from the multitude of old poles, in our construction zone, to the three new poles they’ve installed.
Thanks again ... Dave's back with my supper.
As always ~
BOB
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