State Reimbursement

We received confirmation yesterday from the state facilities department that we will receive an additional 1.2 million from the state to cover their part of the overage on the new building and grounds. This is in addition to the 3.77 million that had been approved a few months back. This brings the total amount of money approved through the reimbusement program to 4.985 million. In additon, we invested the $739,000 the state gave in 2004 when the two districts merged. I always think back and have a deep appreciation for the voters on the passage of the additonal local millage that allowed the district the opportunity to use local money and state money to have one of the best facilities and grounds in the state. Without the first step of passing the local millage, we could not have received the reimbursement and thus the project would have never happened.

Entry Roads and Topsoil

Edwards Bros. have completed the dirt work on the project and are now building the entry roads and seeding the topsoil. Also, the contractor on the building has surveyed the building prepared for concrete work to begin. They have also surveyed the parking lot and are they ready to install the electrical system for the lights located on the islands. Pictures are the road exiting the property onto the airport road, a view from the front of the building southwest toward the former Boeing plant and a view from the front of the building toward the ballfields. You can click on the images to get an enlarged view.

Building Contractor Begins

As the excavation phase of the project is coming to an end, the building contractor (GAG Construction) is scheduled to begin construction on the project site tomorrow. They have been working with the sub-contractors, the architect, suppliers, and other groups prior to the work starting on the site. They have plans to lay the base for the parking lots, install the lighting on the parking lots and install the islands and lay the asphalt early in the project construction. As soon as work begins, we will update this site often with pictures and other information.

Color Selections

Even though it will be some time before the brick, metal, and roof will be installed on the building, it is necessary to choose the components now to allow time for delivery of the right colors. We have asked Retha Wyatt Lamb to help us choose from various color scheme arrangements. She will also be helping select colors and design features on the interior of the building as well. She is a very skilled and gifted interior designer. We appreciate her help on the project.

Contractors Meeting

The general contractors and sub-contractors met today on the building site to go over the preliminary guidelines of the building process. The general contractor expects to begin construction on the building July 24th and expects to complete the project in October 2007. Also, the dirt work should be completed by the middle of next week.

Excavation Nearing Completion

Edwards Bros. Construction is nearing completion on the excavation work. They are doing the finish grading on most of the site and adding back the topsoil. It is expected the work will be competed within the next week. Also, the water relocation project will be finished shorly after the excavation is completed. The contractor for the building erection is expected to begin on the site within the next two weeks.