Early April targeted date for school addition completion

    Assuming things stay on track, the new 16,500-square foot addition at the school could be completed in early April, according to Superintendent Joey Lefdal.
    The estimated date of completion in the bid contract, won by Eric Reichert Insulation & Construction Inc., of Scottsbluff, was March 31.
    Lefdal said work appears to be moving along quickly as focus shifts to the interior completion of the building.
    Sheetrock is going up, painting is underway and bathrooms and locker rooms are being worked on.
    Work is also underway on the heating and air conditioning system for the building.
    Lefdal said they have settled on the design for the floor in the gym area.
    A synthetic laminate surface with a sub-floor will be installed in the gym area, he said.
    Lefdal has experience with the surface at a previous school. He said cleaning and maintenance represents the major advantage over a wood floor surface.
    Over time, a wood floor will become somewhat slick, regardless of how it’s maintained, he said. With the laminate surface, he said it can be cleaned with a scrubber and the tackiness of the floor returns.
    In addition, the laminate floor will stand up to traffic much better than a wood floor, he added.
    As a result, he foresees the facility being used for a variety of activities during the school day, as well as outside events.
    The floor will be one of the last things completed in the gym area. That will be followed with the installation of bleachers on the west side, with seating for 400 people.
    The new addition connects with a hallway to the northeast corner of the existing building, near the elevator.
    The original bid for the addition was $3,447,126. Lefdal said there have been some change orders but the cost should come in close to the original bid.