Cannon Falls Area Schools Construction Update - 2008'

iDog ( aka: Bob )

2008-10-19T20:47:00.003-05:00

Well, I don't know what's gotten into Dave. He thinks he's so busy and so he's trying to make me his secretary or something. He gives me all these things he wants me to type out on the computer and file this and file that and take pictures of this and take pictures of that. He's getting so carried away with this project that now he's talking about getting an iMac and an iPod Nano and iTunes and an iPhone, etc, etc. .... he just doesn't get it. When I type, my dexterity is a little off. I may be going for one specific letter on the key board but I end up pushing down four or five of them and I don't need a phone, my ears work pretty good. Dave's just got to take a pill and chill out ... because ... iDog ~ iChew, iDig, iBark, iRun, iEat, iSleep, iPlay, i (have)Paws and sometimes iDrag (my rearend across the carpet). Just telling you how it is Dave. I'll do the photo ops and promote this project, but the brass tacks of it ... iDog ~ uHuman.

BOB !

iDave ... weekend update 409

2008-10-19T20:12:00.003-05:00

... well, thanks for setting me straight BOB. No wonder it took me an hour a word to figure out what you had typed. I thought I was reading one of those new direction manuals you get now a days when you buy something. Glad to know it's something as simple as you being iDog.

It's been business as usual here the past few weeks and if you visited the school for an event, Homecoming, conferences, etc. you got a first hand look at what's happening here.

I've posted several photos on this week's update. Starting from the most recent to the last, Over MEA we shut down the water and gas and made the final reconnections for the school year now. They also started to demo the lavatories across from the music area and they are suppose to be ready for the winter activities as will the new HS/MS office area.

You can now see the footings for the fieldhouse, which will give you an idea how much area our new addition covers. The new light poles for the parking lot will be installed mid-November and replace the tempory ones that Xcel installed on the west end of the lot.

Electrical conduit and roof beams and the replacement of the shop retention tank are among some other of the other construction items that are taking place. The roof for the new shop and receiving area will be installed the last week of October.

It's been a little cool in the High School because we have not been able to turn the boilers on yet. We'll be finishing up insulation, new vavles and make-up water tank in the next week, week and a half.

The new Alrenative Learning Center which is housed in the Community Center is just about completed. A little more paint and the hook-up of the computer system will be finished this week. The new sidewalk and steps were installed last week.

The photos you see of the holes in the tunnel underneath the old HS/MS offices are for footings that will hold columns for the new roof over the main entryway/lobby area of the auditorium.

Some of the hall ceilings have been removed to make way for the new domestic water lines, sprinkler system lines, computer lines, fire alarm lines and new suspended ceiling and lights. All ceilings throughout the building will get the same treatment.

The IMC at the Elementary was also remodeled this summer with new carpet, paint and bookshelves.

We are planning to replace the whole roof at the Elementary next summer and I've included some photos of the hail damage we received on the copper roofs this summer.

Our 10,000 gallon fuel oil tank was removed this summer and will be replaced with a 4,000 gallon tank. We will maintain duel fuel capacity for the building and there will also be a generator installed that will automatically switch over when needed to keep our building up and running for the regular day and/or an emergency situation that the community would need to facilatate the building.

It's been going well and I can't say enough about Met-Con Construction, their workers and different trades and especially Ken Gergen, the project manager on site. Thanks !

iDave

New Field House Footings - se corner and south footings

2008-10-19T20:10:00.003-05:00

Main Entryway footing & Boys Lav across from Music area

2008-10-19T20:08:00.003-05:00

New Electrical Conduit coming to the Boiler Room

2008-10-19T20:06:00.004-05:00

Auditorium Columns & old/new retention tanks (CPO 3PO)

2008-10-19T20:03:00.003-05:00

Shop & Receiving Area roof beams (project manager Ken Gergen in red cap)

2008-10-19T20:00:00.004-05:00

Alternative Learning Center classroom before & after

2008-10-19T19:58:00.003-05:00

Alternative Learning Center sidewalk & steps

2008-10-19T19:57:00.003-05:00

Tunnel Openings for New roof beam columns

2008-10-19T19:55:00.003-05:00

Tunnel Footing Opening & Main Entryway Pipe

2008-10-19T19:53:00.003-05:00

Senior Wing & Middle Hallway ceilings removed

2008-10-19T19:51:00.003-05:00

Elementary IMC remodel / Hail damage - Elem. Roof

2008-10-19T19:49:00.004-05:00

Hail Damage - Elementary copper roof

2008-10-19T19:47:00.003-05:00

Fuel Oil Tank / Roots around the Conduit

2008-10-19T19:45:00.003-05:00

Night time is the right time ....... for SLEEP

2008-10-03T16:18:00.003-05:00

Bob says - 'when night falls, I myself like to climb up on a comfortable couch and get in a good night's sleep, not work out in the middle of the road down in a hole installing a new pressure relief valve until 10:30 for the High School's water, but I'm glad we have dedicated workers doing that for us - Thanks guys you did a great job! ... Sweet Dreams'

Wednesday night, installing new pressure relief valve

2008-10-03T16:16:00.004-05:00

Pressure relief valve in street / valve removed

2008-10-03T16:13:00.002-05:00

Elevator shaft for auditorium / new gas lines

2008-10-03T16:11:00.003-05:00

BOB says ...

2008-09-30T17:33:00.003-05:00

... 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 ...

2008-09-30T17:30:00.003-05:00

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.

Auditorium Footings

2008-09-30T17:29:00.004-05:00

Weight room - Locker room Hall / Elevator - Stair

2008-09-30T17:26:00.003-05:00

Weight / Locker room / Band Wall

2008-09-30T17:24:00.003-05:00

Office

2008-09-30T17:22:00.003-05:00

Office walls

2008-09-30T17:20:00.002-05:00

Electic, Gas & Frame

2008-09-30T17:18:00.003-05:00

Bob asks ... Who is this guy ???

2008-09-17T16:31:00.003-05:00

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.

Reflections ... by Bob

2008-09-13T08:57:00.003-05:00

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

2008-09-13T08:37:00.003-05:00

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.

Footings

2008-09-13T08:36:00.004-05:00

New Shop Areas

2008-09-13T08:33:00.003-05:00

HS / MS office demo

2008-09-13T08:32:00.003-05:00

Office Area

2008-09-13T08:29:00.004-05:00

New Office Area

2008-09-13T08:27:00.005-05:00

Parking Lot

2008-09-13T08:21:00.004-05:00

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

ON and OFF

2008-09-04T15:07:00.003-05:00

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

GLAD YOU ASKED THAT ...

2008-08-08T16:09:00.001-05:00

Is the project on time ? Yes it is. Fraser Construction has done an excellent job preparing the site for the building construction and has gotten field areas and utilities ready for the next phases of our project. Fraser Construction will probably move off site the end of this month and return again, spring of 09’.
Is there a map ? I’ve posted a new map to help show everyone what to expect when school opens up this fall. The map has a lot of info on it, but then there are a lot of changes taking place, but hopefully this will help with some of the confusion. … It’s not often that I get to sit at my desk and color.
Where do we park and how do we get to the schools ? The yellow areas on the map show where parking and roadway accesses will be for this school year. There is a new entrance off of Almond Street that gets you into the new parking lot. The lot will have its first layer of asphalt on it.
How do we get to the Elementary School ? Driving to the Elementary School will be the same as you’ve always done. The walking part will be a new experience. As you walk toward the High School on Minnesota Street, you’ll then have to enter the High School building through the southwest entry door – walk straight down the hallway to the other end of the building and then take a right and exit out of the southeast entryway back onto the sidewalk and continue onto the Elementary School.
What entryway do we use ? The two entryways that will be used for getting everyone in the building will be the southwest and southeast entry. It will depend on where you park, where you drive or where you’re walking from.
What construction will take place during the school year ? The main construction will be on the additions (marked out in the blue areas on the map). Field House, Auditorium, Locker rooms, Weight room, Administration Offices (where the weight room use to be), District Office (where the high school, middle school offices and nurse are currently located), Auto and Wood shops, Receiving area and Band room. The four lavatories will also be completely remodeled (one at a time) during the year. Starting in April, the high school kitchen and the older boys and girls locker rooms will be demoed and remodeling will begin on them.
Who’s the company doing the Construction ? The construction for this phase of our project was rewarded to Met-Con Companies out of Faribault, MN
When is construction supposed to be completed ? Construction is to be completed by the end of August 2009’.
What’s taken place so far ? A lot of demo – sidewalks, curbs, parking lot, Minnesota Street, storm drain, sanitary sewer, water main, hydrants, electricity moved, retention pond, tons of black dirt brought over to the elementary playground area, floor tile removed, offices and weight room demoed, pads taken off lights in hallways, old tennis court removed, Army Reserve building taken down, new curbing installed, fuel oil tank removed, newer tennis courts resurfaced, etc., etc.
What else has taken place this summer ? Elementary IMC is being remodeled with new carpet, paint and shelves. Two storerooms at the CCC are being remodeled into classrooms for our Alternative Learning Center. A whole lot of cleaning and maintenance, as is done each summer. Great job Rollie & crew !!!
What construction takes place next summer ? Continued work on the new additions, remodeling of the kitchen-cafeteria-commons area, all ceilings and lights in the high school get ripped out and a sprinkler system throughout the whole building – new ceilings – new lighting – additions to the fire protection system – new water pipes in the 1962 area get installed, new flooring, new student lockers, new entrance doors and frames, wrestling room, choir room, etc. Over at the Elementary duct work gets removed and replaced, flooring gets removed and replaced, etc. And also, the baseball, softball, football fields and track out back of the High School. A concession/lavatory/storage building and two generic softball/baseball/kickball fields over at the Elementary School.
Is that all ? … no, there’s more, a whole lot more … and you’re going to like it, I guarantee it. Dave ( I think …)

MAP & DIRECTIONS

2008-08-08T16:02:00.001-05:00

South Side of H.S. looking toward HWY19

2008-08-08T15:52:00.002-05:00

Pond & old Back Parking Lot

2008-08-08T15:51:00.003-05:00

Weight & Cafeteria

2008-08-08T15:49:00.002-05:00

Wires and Tubes

2008-08-08T15:46:00.002-05:00

A little fun !

2008-08-08T15:41:00.003-05:00

... after all that, BOB says "Have a Great Weekend"

WATER

2008-07-28T13:26:00.001-05:00

Last week it was electricity ... this week it's water.
WATER TO THE ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL BUILDINGS WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR 2 TO 4 HOURS TUESDAY, JULY 29TH FROM 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. so two new valves can be installed for water to the new addition of the High School.

ELECTRICITY...

2008-07-22T16:11:00.002-05:00

WEDNESDAY, JULY 23RD @ 8:00 A.M. - POWER WILL BE TURNED OFF TO THE HIGH SCHOOL !!!

POWER WILL BE OFF FOR AT LEAST FOUR HOURS, BUT PLAN ON THE WHOLE DAY.

THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WILL HAVE POWER BUT THEY WILL NOT HAVE PHONES OR INTERNET.

THURSDAY, JULY 24TH SHOULD BRING US BACK TO NORMAL

Thanks !, in advance, for your understanding and patience.

Change is Good ...

2008-07-11T15:36:00.002-05:00

They say change is good and that is certainly what we are doing here everyday … changing … and, it is for the good. Site work is progressing well along with other items we are taking care of inside the building before the actual construction begins. For right now, we are getting a little more restricted to where we can go and can’t go. There are still activities taking place each week. Getting to them may require a different route than you’re used to, but the main thing everyone needs to remember is this is a construction zone and we all need to be cautious and safe and aware of what is taking place. Here are the current and upcoming things taking place and what to watch for:

The floor tile in the high school cafeteria was removed this week and we will be able to open up that area July 14th. There will be no new floor tile installed, thus remaining a cement floor until the actual remodeling of the kitchen area starting next April. In the interim, it will be sealed and waxed and will be a very cleanable surface.
Certain hallways in the High School will be closed off to everyone in various stages from now until July 28th. EPS will be removing asbestos containing heat pads that are located between hallway light fixtures and the hallway ceiling. In order to be able to get to one end of the building to the other, we are dividing the hall closure into two. The first hallway closed off will be from the fire doors by the Board Room – down to the fire doors by the Girls Locker Room and Boiler Room and the hallway from the old Weight Room, past the Teacher’s Lounge. The second phase will close off the middle school hallway from the fire doors by Alwin and Alsbury’s classrooms, down to the entryway door that goes out back that p.e. uses, around the corner, past the kitchen and ag room to the fire doors by the NE corner of the gym.
10,000 gallon fuel oil tank was removed on July 3rd.
Blasting of rock ended last week and drain lines have been installed from the retention pond to the back parking lot.
New water line and hydrant was installed from the west fence area of the back parking lot, going east to the corner of the auto shop.
Elementary School playground is getting a face-lift. They’ve been hauling fill and black dirt over there to build up the playing area and prepare the NE area for new playing fields.
New water line is starting to get hooked up, that will be routed around the new construction out front of the High School. We will be shutting down the water to the building for a few hours sometime the week of July 14th to make a connection.
All bookshelves, furniture and carpet have been removed from the Elementary IMC and are awaiting new paint, shelves and carpet.
Temporary electric lines have been installed from the SW corner of the building by the band room, up over and across the roof to the boiler room for relocating the electric service during the construction process. Power to the High School and possibly the Elementary School will be completely off for a day the week of July 21st. Xcel Energy will be here July 22nd to install new poles and pad and will move the transformer from outside of the boiler room to the SW corner.

Dates & Things to remember
THE ONLY ENTRANCE TO THE HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING IS THROUGH THE SOUTHEAST ENTRYWAY ( DISTRICT OFFICE ENTRY ). Do Not Go Through The Construction Area To Get To Another Entryway and/or Door.
Even though various hallways will be closed off – this should not affect Driver’s Ed., Math Class, Band Lessons, etc. Band lesson students will have to take a longer route through the building using the middle school hallway to get to the band room this week.
THE ELEMENTARY GRASS ( now dirt ) PLAYGROUND AREA AND ASPHALT PAD AND BASKETBALL HOOPS IS OFF LIMITS TO ALL. The asphalt pad will be ground up and replaced with a new pad also.
July 11th to August 30th, 2009’ = construction zone at High School & Elementary

July 14th = high school cafeteria area opened back up.
July 14th to 18th = water to High School will be shut off for a few hours sometime this week
JULY 16th @ 3:30 p.m. in the High School IMC= Bids to be opened for Phase 2 and/or the Main Construction.
JULY 21st @ 7:00 p.m. @ the Elementary School = Board Meeting ( awarding of construction bid to a general contractor ).
JULY 28th = all hallways in high school should be accessible.
AUGUST 1st = Construction begins.
HISTORY NOTE: It was 35 years ago, this summer, when completion of construction was taking place on the East & West additions of the High School.

June 29th, 2008' Update

2008-06-29T13:18:00.003-05:00

We’ll, the activity around the schools picked up considerably last week and will probably remain in this mode until August 2009’.

This past week there was blasting taking place, cement being chopped up, scrapping, digging, trucks hauling, custodians cleaning and moving and pre-bid construction meetings going on.

They have been blasting rock from the east end of the high school property by the new tennis courts to the west end of the property in the back parking lot, creating a path for drain lines to carry water to the retention pond by the wooded nature area between the two schools. THE BLASTING WILL CONTINUE THIS WEEK. Scheduled activities have been moved to other locations for the time being.

Part of the roadway from the southeast corner of the new tennis courts to the receiving area on the northwest side of the elementary has been covered with reclaimed asphalt to create a roadway for trucks to use while hauling black dirt to the green space playground area to build up a safer playing base. Fill, from the new retention pond is also being hauled over there. They will also be tearing out the asphalt pad by the north wooded area and be landscaping the east-northeast area for two generic playing fields and an area large enough to lay out a full size football field. The large asphalt playing area will also be redone along with areas around playground equipment.

With the new construction, all of our utilities that serve the building need to be relocated. The electricity will be the first one that will be moved. The electric service will be relocated the week of July 14th and will remain that way until next year. The transformer currently located outside of the boiler room will be moved to just outside of the southwest entrance of the building and the lines will be routed over the roof to the boiler room. DURING THE WEEK OF JULY 14th THERE MAY BE A COUPLE OF DAYS THAT THE HIGH SCHOOL WILL NOT HAVE ANY ELECTRICITY TO IT DURING THE SWITCHOVER. This may also effect the Elementary School. I'll update you.

The weight room and high school / middle school office areas have been cleared out and are ready to be demoed to begin the construction of the new high school / middle school offices which will be located in the old weight room and the old office area will become part of the new main entrance.

A pre-bid construction meeting was held on Wednesday with the opening of bids for the main construction to be on July 9th @ 3:30 p.m. This will begin the phase of selecting our General Contractor and the start of the construction phase.

Tuesday, June 24th, 2008'

2008-06-24T14:13:00.002-05:00

Although we are busy with the new construction, there are other projects we are working on within this. Some of these projects are;

Remodeling the two storerooms at the Community Center into classrooms for our Alternative Learning Center. This will involve new flooring, ceilings, lighting, paint, shelves, cupboards, hvac equipment, sinks and steps and/or walk off of the northwest entry door.

Remodeling the Elementary IMC – includes new carpet, paint and book shelves.

We are working on a plan for the Elementary playground area – bringing in more black dirt for the main playground area, bringing in fill and leveling out the northeast corner of the grounds to add two generic softball/baseball fields and an area large enough to mark out a full size football field, plus making some changes around the playground equipment areas. The asphalt playground pad will be replaced next year and the asphalt pad near the north wooded area will be removed to provide more green space for the playground.

Other Notes;
*** (note to self) - 10:20 a.m. – while typing this update my feet just jumped off the floor – first blast of rock today.

June 25th – pre-bid meeting for the construction phase of our project
July 9th – Bids are open for the construction phase to determine our general contractor for the project.

Monday, June 23rd, 2008'

2008-06-23T16:03:00.002-05:00

It's a new week and that brings with it a whole new set of construction activities. Drainage pipes are arriving, water lines west and south of the building are being tapped into for the new sources of water supply and more holes are being dug for exploration.

There will be a new storm sewer line installed from where the 'B' squad softball field was, which now will become a retetion pond, which will extend to the west property line taking a path through the Varsity softball field and continue through the old tennis courts and then go south to Minnesota Street. Fraser Construction has run into some rock and they need to do some blasting to break it up. Our neighbors have been notified by The Loss Protection Associates and their property has been video taped. BLASTING OF ROCK WILL SOMETIMES TAKE PLACE TUESDAY through FRIDAY THIS WEEK BETWEEN 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. NO ONE WILL BE ALLOWED IN ANY OUTSIDE AREAS OF THE HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING DURING THE BLASTING. People will be out in the areas when this occurs to advise anyone to clear the area.

I hope to post another update Tuesday and will advise more on some of the projects that are taking place.

Previous Update from June 9th, 2008'

2008-06-18T15:31:00.002-05:00

Well, the construction process has begun. Here's a quick update of today and the rest of the week. I've started taking pictures ( before & after ) and am working on getting them on a web site for all to view.

Monday the 9th
* High School / Middle School and Nurse's Offices moved to the District Office area
* District Office moved to the Elementary School Office area
* High School weight room moved out to allow for demo - working on a couple of areas for relocation until new weight room is built
* Fraser Construction arrived on site
* erosion control fences placed
* fencing and net posts were removed from the old tennis courts, north of the High School
* New tennis courts, east of the High School are being resurfaced
* trees were removed
* west drive to the back parking lot at the High School has been closed off
* west island drive in front of the High School office, boiler room and band & choir rooms has been closed off

Tuesday the 10th
* cornerstone on Army Reserve Building to be removed
* curb and gutter to be removed
* 'B' squad softball field to be demolished
* work on retention pond ( 'B' squad softball area ) to begin

Wednesday the 11th
* Demo of the Army Reserve building & garage

Thursday the 12th
* removal of asphalt parking lot and west drive at High School

Thursday the 19th
* removal of 10,000 gallon fuel oil tank at High School

Construction & Facility Notes for the summer

2008-06-18T13:24:00.003-05:00

As you've probably noticed, we are currently in the beginning of the construction phase of our facilities. Given that, there is a lot of activity taking place and there are a few things you need to know, as far as where you can and cannot go and how you can access the facilities.

We realize that during the summer months we still have a lot of activities and business to conduct and we are doing our best to accommidate everything but, there are going to be times when that won't be possible and we'll do our best to keep you updated a head of time.

The shaded area on the posted map is our current construction zone and is off limits. Given the layout of our campus, we realize this cuts off any walking or biking traffic to our buildings, but it needs to be done to get the area ready for the additions. This will probably be the case for at least 4 weeks. We'll keep you updated on changes. When we can change it around and allow people traffic, they will be able to enter the SW entryway of the High School and then continue down the hallway to the District Office entryway and then onto the Elementary School.

Vehicle traffic can enter the school property off of Hwy. 19 and can continue on to the Elementary School and be able to exit the area the same way. The High School's main entrance for a while will be the SE District Office entryway.

The shaded area is the construction area but, you need to aware of truck traffic also between the High School and the Elementary. Trucks will be hauling fill between the two buildings and out to the NE playground area of the Elementary School.

To access the High School baseball field, please use Almond Street and enter the field thru the NW gate. To enter the track and footaball areas, please use the same access and continue to the NE gate of the baseball field and into the track and field area.

The new tennis courts can be accessed from the south end as usual. The courts have recently been resurfaced and are open to the public starting Friday after 4 p.m. There currently is no electricity out to the courts for lights or outlets, so plan accordingly.

The District Office is now located in the Elementary Office area.

The High School & Middle School & Nurse's Offices are located in the old District Office area.

Thank you, in advance, for your understanding and cooperation during this phase ! The outcome will be well worth it.

I'll be posting other construction information and photos in the next few days.

Dave

SUMMER CONSTRUCTION

2008-06-18T11:00:00.002-05:00

The shaded areas are under construction.