WEST LIBERTY – Though summer construction pushed right up to the start of this school year, project officials say the West Liberty-Salem building project is on track for completion in the spring.
Renovations have been underway the past couple of years. This past summer, improvements to the “core” of the building – cafetorium, gymnasiums and office areas – continued uncomfortably close to the start of the school year. The kitchens were not ready when school started, so food was brought in the first couple of days of school, Superintendent Kraig Hissong said previously.
But the rest of the work – renovations to the elementary hallways and outside site work – appears to be right on time, Project Superintendent Craig Kertesz told the school board Tuesday. There are still some lingering issues, whether because of changes in work orders or other reasons, that will need to be mopped up over the next few months. This included changes in door hardware as new doors were put in and an ongoing problem with the paint.
A recent storm knocked out power, causing an electrical surge that affected new lights around the building and may have interfered with the new water pump, Hissong said.
Construction officials discovered paint was not adhering to some walls in past phases of the project. Their solution did not completely alleviate the problem, Hissong said. Construction officials continue to work on the issue.
Before the project is considered complete, a number of “punch list” items – errors or issues – must be fixed, checked and approved. Ruscilli Construction, the construction manager, will be on site to finish those items and the final site work outside the building into May.
“We are getting very close,” Kertesz said. “I think by the next time you meet, I think you will see a stark contrast (in how the building looks).”
