Wednesday, Mar. 30, 2005 | ||
Bad Links? | BOE cites ongoing construction projectsBy J. FRANK LYNCH Work is progressing well on turning McIntosh High Schools old gym into a performing arts facility, but the calendar may force a delay until late summer for starting work on additions at two elementary schools. Klaus Darnell, construction supervisor for Fayette County Schools, updated Board of Education members last week on several ongoing projects. At McIntosh High, contractors have already completed about 60 percent of new masonry work required to carve a 600-seat theater out of the schools former physical education facility, which was replaced in February by a new 1,800-seat arena. The work is the final stage of nearly $6 million in renovations and additions ongoing at McIntosh for two years that officials hope will finally be completed by the time students return to campus for the start of the next school year in August. But it may be August before bids will be let for additions to Peeples and Spring Hill elementary schools included in the $35 million bond referendum approved by voters last November, even though construction plans are on schedule. Darnell explained that the timing of the new additions is critical so that required renovation to existing classroom space can be done when students arent present, starting in June 2006. If work is started too soon, the new additions will be finished and would require contractors to leave the sites and then return a couple of months later, forcing unnecessary costs, Darnell said. But work to meet the districts most pressing space needs additional middle school classrooms is progressing quickly, he added. Preliminary design work on a new middle school to be built on Lester Road next to Cleveland Elementary is almost complete, Darnell said. The blueprints will be submitted to the state Department of Education in the next few weeks for final approval. Construction documents are also being developed for a 16-classroom addition at the countys most overcrowded middle school, Rising Starr. Darnell said the tentative date to advertise for construction bids is April 13, and he hopes the board can award the construction contract by May 12. Work would begin as soon as students leave for summer vacation in late May. |
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