MEEKER | For those who have driven by Meeker High School in the past couple weeks, you have noticed that structural steel is currently being installed. Much activity has occurred over the past several months to prepare for this milestone, and we will now begin to see the new building take shape
The construction of the new building will occur in two phases. Phase I, which is currently on schedule for completion before the start of the 2020-2021 school year, includes the following:
– A new ag shop/classroom to the northwest of the current gym
– A new wood shop, FACS room, weight room, and wrestling room in what used to be the auxiliary gym
– A new art room, concession stand, and kitchen to the south of the current gym
– A complete renovation of the auditorium
– A new classroom wing around the east, south, and west side of the auditorium
– A new commons area and main entrance to the west of the current gym
Phase I is currently on schedule. ~ Superintendent Chris Selle
Additional hazardous materials abatement on Phase II is scheduled to start in late winter. Some construction activities for Phase II are scheduled to begin immediately after abatement work is complete. The remaining Phase II construction activities will not begin until May 2020, once the 2019-2020 school year is complete. Below is a list of the Phase II construction activities:
– Demolition of the cafeteria, locker rooms, and classroom ‘flights’ north of the current gym
– A new gymnasium north of the current gym
– School offices and restrooms northwest of the current gym
– Renovations to the current gym, which will transition to an auxiliary gym during the 2020-2021 school year
– New locker rooms constructed in the current wrestling room space
Due to great construction estimating by Haselden Construction, outstanding design work by TreanorHL, fantastic owner’s representative services from NV5, and diligent efforts by the school district’s executive committee for the project, the Guaranteed Maximum Price of the project was less than anticipated. This allowed the design team and executive committee to add numerous features consistent with a state of the art facility while maintaining the project budget.
Phase I is currently on schedule. While this is great news, because there are two phases, one must think of the overall project as two separate projects. Schedule gains in Phase I do not necessarily help us with the schedule of Phase II as much of that work cannot occur until the end of the current school year.
Due to great construction estimating by Haselden Construction, outstanding design work by TreanorHL, fantastic owner’s representative services from NV5, and diligent efforts by the school district’s executive committee for the project, the Guaranteed Maximum Price of the project was less than anticipated. ~ Superintendent Chris Selle
An impact of the project phasing and inclusion of additional features is an overall schedule which will be slightly longer than originally anticipated. We had originally hoped to complete the project in the fall of 2020. Project completion has now been shifted to Christmas break of the 2020-2021 school year. It is important to note this completion is for Phase II and is the longest duration possible. Students and staff will occupy the new classrooms at the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year when Phase I is complete.
Concurrently, design work on the new bus garage continues as planned. We will have construction documents completed by Dec. 6, 2019 and are planning to start construction on this facility in the spring of 2020.
This project has impacted every aspect of our organization. Our students and staff have shown great adaptability and patience with the changes resulting from this project.
It is a blessing to work with wonderful students and adults who are willing to make sacrifices in the short term for the betterment of the district as a whole, which gives me another reason to proclaim I am proud to be a Meeker Cowboy!
By Chris Selle |MSD Superintendent
