|
Officials pleased with construction progress |
|
Written by Reporter1
|
|
Wednesday, 23 July 2008 |
Construction is continuing around the Sweetwater Independent School District campuses.
During Monday’s meeting of the board of trustees, the panel learned how the projects are coming along — both approved by the bond issue and those not funded by the bond money.
“We are very pleased with the progress of all projects,” said Director of Maintenance and Transportation Roddy Alexander. “We will be evaluating all construction projects to ensure that we do not jeopardize the safety and learning of our students and staff, as it is our top priority.”
The major project currently underway is the renovation of the Sweetwater High School auditorium. According to Alexander, the project “is moving full steam ahead.”
The maintenance department has put in long hours during the summer to have the auditorium completed by the first of October. The project is currently in the final stages of getting the new blown-on acoustics and painting completed. Alexander said that should be done by the end of the week.
Once that is completed, the crew will begin concrete work and lay title. The new seats will be installed in August or September and will be completed with the installation of the new carpet.
Work began this week on the parking lot addition at Southeast Elementary School. The new parking lot will provide the school with 44 additional parking spaces to help alleviate the congested parking on the street. Alexander noted that the project should be completed prior to the beginning of the school year.
Board members reviewed the plans for the new high school’s science and technology annexes during its meeting Monday night. CADCO representative Steve Ellinger went through the plans from the ground up to the ceilings with board members and said the bids will be opened Thursday. Once the bids are approved, which will be during a special meeting in August, construction could begin within 10 days.
The science annex will consist of six classrooms with lab areas while the technology annex will have three computer labs and restrooms accessible from the gymnasium.
Alexander said the projects will be done during the school year because both areas can be fenced off and eliminating any danger to the students or staff.
The East Ridge Elementary annex and cafeteria expansion should be finalized this week and could go out for bids in 30 days. The project includes the addition of three classrooms for special programs along with a library. The cafeteria will be expanded as well to the north and east of the campus.
The Mustang Bowl renovations are in the works and plans are to have them completed by the first home game.
The middle school gym project will begin in September and be completed by early spring while the HVAC systems at the high school and middle school are currently in the planning stages and are not scheduled to begin until late spring.
As for the non-bond issues, the board learned that some minor work was done on the track to help with the drainage.
“(Hellas) did a tremendous job and it has made a huge difference which will help protect our surface,” Alexander said.
The new parking lots on Crane Street was also being prepared and is in the final stages. The county has completed all of the dirt work needed before putting the rock down. On Monday, the rock started arriving and the county will get it spread out and packed down, Alexander said.
“I would like to thank the city and county for working with us on this project and for all of their good work,” he added.
The district is also in the process of getting fiber cable run to each campus that will increase the rate of E-travel. The E-rate grant the district applied for was approved and the staff is currently working on getting the installation started.
Once the fiber is installed, a district-wide telephone system, that is dependent on the band-width of the new fiber, will be purchased and installed. The projected time of completion will be this spring. |
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 24 July 2008 )
|
