School expansion staying on schedule

GRESHAM — Almost three months after the groundbreaking, the $6.5 million renovation project for Gresham Community School is right on schedule to be completed in 2020.

Gray brick walls are forming on the east side of the school, where middle and high school classrooms, rehearsal space, cafeteria and technology education labs are expected to be ready to move into next summer.

“The crew we have working on this had a few jobs get postponed, so they sent additional people over to help out,” said Nick Curran, district business manager. “We obviously had the ability to take them; we weren’t going to say no.”

Even though some things are happening ahead of schedule, Curran said he anticipates there could be circumstances, like stormy weather, that could even out the work schedule.

“It makes a difference when you see progress happen,” Curran said. “We’re certainly excited about that.”

Electricians are currently on the premises making sure the infrastructure is in place and connected to the existing building to make it easier to move in once warmer weather returns. Even though the building itself is expected to be completed during the winter, the district plans to wait until May or June to occupy the new section.

Gresham School District Superintendent Newell Haffner said the new section “won’t be inhabitable because we’re pumping heat from over there (in the existing building), and we’re worried it won’t stay warm because the boilers come in the next phase.”

Haffner added that there will be a thin window to move things from the old 1935 section of the school to the new area, as plans to demolish the 85-year-old wing will take place soon after the school year ends in June.

“It’s all fluid,” Haffner said. “It depends on when things come. I envision moving a room at a time. If kids help us during study hall, that shouldn’t impact education too much.”

The project is staying on budget, Curran said, noting that the district just had a $3,000 credit to its contingency budget. He said that the bids for the project were strong and competitive and stayed within the anticipated costs which has helped to keep everything on target.

“In the grand scheme of things, $3,000 doesn’t seem like much,” Curran said, “but we’re $3,000 in the right direction.”

Ayres and Associates is the architect for the expansion, with Kraus Anderson serving as the builders.

Besides the demolition, a new cafeteria and kitchen will be built next summer, according to Curran.

Haffner said he’s looking forward to showing the finished expansion to the community in an open house. He said that if the existing work is any indication, taxpayers should be very pleased with what $6.5 million provided in terms of a school building.

“It’s going to be cool,” Haffner said. “I’m going to be excited when it’s all done.”

lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com