Work Becomes Visible!
Despite the ongoing rainy weather conditions, the contractors’ work is now beginning to start above ground. As you can see from the picture below, the foundations are now complete with underground mechanical, plumbing and electrical work completed in most areas as well. The next plans call for the slab to be poured for the north academic wing (Area A — High School/Middle School). Once the slab is poured and ready, the masons will then begin laying the block for the first floor walls. Be sure to check the Construction Photos link above for additional pictures.
January 13, 2012
Even as the winter weather appears to be settling in, our contractors continue to keep the project on schedule. The unseasonable weather of the past couple of weeks has certainly helped offset the rainy days of early December. The project schedule will soon be posted in the school offices. Feel free to take a look if you are in the building.
Work completed to date includes: Footings for all building sections except for the kitchen, which is about half completed. Foundation block is now completed for three areas of the building. Work also continues on the underground water tank that is a required part of the fire suppression system. Good news associated with these tasks is that we have not encountered any further issues, so far, with “unsuitable soil” or quicksand. As mentioned in some earlier posts the south parking areas required the use of some of the project contingency funds to stabilize those areas. With only a couple of small areas yet remaining for underground work, we hope to avoid any further issues.
December 20, 2011
Even though, to date, we have lost about 25% of the works days on this portion of the construction project due to inclement weather, Mosser Construction and the other contractors continue to make headway on the project. Work completed so far includes:
- the North Wing (Area A) footings and subgrade masonry
- the West Wing, South Wing and Main Gym areas footings
- the Auxillary Gym and Auditeria/Music areas footings are partially completed
We are very grateful to our contractors for their hard work as they are currently ahead of our original schedules!
I would also point out that the Construction Photos section of this blog have been updated today. You can now access many more still pictures of the project from its start through current progress as well as a slide show of all the pictures. Please make sure you take a look!
December 15
Even though the wet weather continues, the contractors are finding work that can be done in the conditions. Foundation footings have been poured for over half of the building so far, with the subgrade concrete block masonry quickly following behind.
The temporary construction fencing has been installed around the building area and plans are in place for a security camera to be installed at the site to help prevent theft or vandalism.
December 7
The workers from Mosser Construction continue to make progress on the foundations and footer walls over the past several days, despite the wet weather. The temporary construction fencing work is also starting, with a target of being done by the end of next week. This fencing will secure the site during the project and be removed once construction is completed.
As with most projects of this size, it seems there are some rumors circulating about finances surrounding the project. As stated in earlier posts, the project came in slightly over estimate on bid day but under the total budget for the project. During the early site work, some areas of ”unsuitable soils” were encountered. These “unsuitable” areas were too sandy for the construction planned and, therefore, needed to be stabilized so that they would withstand the actual construction and also hold up over years of future use. It was agreed to use a “cement stabilization” process on these areas. This process is complete and was funded through the project contingency fund at a cost of around $120,000. While this cost is high, it was necessary to insure not only that the project could continue on schedule, but also so to help the long term durability of the parking and drive areas.
To summarize some of the other questions asked about the project finances: We are on budget and moving forward using the project funding methods recommended by our bond underwriters and agreed to by the Board of Education. By using the funding selected, we were able to finance the entire project at around 2.9% interest, saving the district’s taxpayers about $8 million in interest. We truly have a great deal and will have a great building in the fall of 2013!
Groundbreaking
Despite the uncooperative weather, the Groundbreaking Ceremony on November 22, 2011 was a huge success. The entire student body was joined in the event by several members of the community including local governmental officials, business owners, alumni and former employees and board members. Highlights included the playing of the band and singing of the choir. It was a memorable day and one of which we can all be very proud!
Photo courtesy of the Advertiser-Tribune
November 17–Groundbreaking
Plans have been finalized for next week’s Groundbreaking Ceremony. The event will start at 2:15 and should last about 30 minutes, with the following schedule being followed:
- National Anthem
- Hopewell-Loudon Band and Choir
- Welcome and Guest Speakers
- Ceremonial Dig #1 — School Staff, Students and Community
- Ceremonial Dig #2 — Board of Education and others
- Closing Comments
- Hopewell-Loudon Alma Mater
- Hopewell-Loudon Band and Choir
- Hopewell-Loudon Fight Song
Please make plans to be a part of this historic event!
November 16 — Footers started this week!
Mosser Construction has started work on installing the footers for the building this week. Despite the heavy rains on Monday, they have are back at work today, digging and getting concrete poured as they go. It is really exciting seeing the final steps of “underground” work occurring now with the knowledge that, before much longer, the work will be visible! Don’t forget to check the Live Construction Webcam available on the tab above.
I also want to remind everyone of the Groundbreaking Ceremony on November 22 at 2:15. I will have a simple agenda posted here in the next couple of days. I hope many of you are able to attend.
11-11-11 Veterans’ Day
Today, our entire student body was able to take part in a very impressive Veterans’ Day Assembly. If you weren’t able to attend today’s ceremony, please be sure to click on the “HL Veteran’s Day Slide Show” on the school home page to view a special video tribute. (Make sure your sound is turned on as well)
Special thanks to all involved in the organization of this activity as well as the TAG group and other students and staff involved in collection and packaging of supplies to be shipped to members of the armed services and their families. Last year our school shipped 32 boxes and this year we were able to MORE THAN DOUBLE THAT NUMBER!
A special “Thank You” also goes out to the local business that quickly jumped in to help offset the additional shipping costs we faced with the increased number of boxes to be delivered.
Finally, on behalf of the Board of Education, staff and students of Hopewell-Loudon School, “Thank You” to all those who have served, or are currently serving, our country in the armed forces. You truly make this a country with freedoms like no other!
November 8 Update
The early site work is nearing completion. The cement stabilization process is progressing, but additional soil quality issues were discovered. This “quicksand” area will require more complicated stabilization procedures and will be funded through the contingency funds. As I write this, we do not have final numbers or even a determination of the actual process to be used but, with the recent dry weather, the area of concern is much smaller than last week.
Work trailers for the various contractors have begun to arrive and the construction fence is scheduled to be installed very soon as well. Mosser Construction has announced a November 14 tentative date for beginning work on the building footers, with the schedule being finalized in the next few days by both Mosser and Touchstone CPM.
Plans continue for the November 22 Groundbreaking ceremonies. We are planning for the ceremony to start at 2:15 and last approximately 30 minutes. More details will follow and will be provided here as well as in the district newsletter.