Work progressing on new school buildings
by Jeff Richards
contributing writer
2 years ago | 468 views | 0 0 comments | 5 5 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Grand County School District has two new school buildings scheduled to open in the fall of 2010, and officials say that both projects are currently on or ahead of schedule.

According to Rob Welch, the school district’s construction director, the new elementary school being constructed on the north portion of the current Helen M. Knight Intermediate School property at 168 West 400 North, was approximately two weeks ahead of schedule as of mid-July. “The foundation work has been completed and workers are pouring slabs,” said Welch, noting that the building’s highest part, the nearly 37-foot-high gymnasium walls, were erected recently.

“The entire project is about 25 percent completed,” Welch said.

Also being constructed is a new vocational and technology building just to the east side of Grand County High School at 608 South 400 East. Welch said that project is currently on schedule, even though it is just about 12 percent complete, according to its timetable. As of late July, workers were in the process of pouring slabs, Welch said.

“It’s incredible,” said Welch, referring to the level of professionalism and the quality of work displayed by the contractor, the subcontractors, and the architects. “It’s impressive to see everyone working together, and to have things working so smoothly.”

Both buildings were designed by MHTN Architects, while Hogan and Associates Construction is the main contractor. Both projects broke ground in early April of 2009. Their combined price tag is $31 million, with the money coming from a bond approved by Grand County voters in 2008.

“We especially would like to thank the neighboring residents of the area,” said Kelly Hall, who is overseeing the elementary school project for Hogan Construction. “We really appreciate them being accommodating to our early work hours and the noise.”

Welch said that as the new school year starts, local residents should be mindful of the construction areas and anticipate possible delays and inconveniences with regard to traffic.

“It’s going to take cooperation,” Welch said. “But if people are patient and show respect for others in the construction zones, things should go smoothly.”

Welch said the elementary school project’s scheduled completion date is the end of June, 2010. After construction on that facility is finished, the existing HMK building will be demolished to make room for the new school’s parking lot, playground, and landscaping.

“They hope to stay a little ahead of schedule to give them enough room in their timetable to finish the demolition next summer,” Welch said.
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