Several building projects in Whitley County school district near completion

Several building projects in the Whitley County School District are nearing completion, including the new Whitley County High School Career and Technical Education (CTE) building, the Oak Grove Elementary School Cafeteria expansion and the Whitley North Elementary School HVAC (heating ventilation and air-conditioning) upgrade.

During last week’s monthly Whitley County Board of Education meeting, the board received a construction update from Suzanne Irwin, who is the project architect with Ross Tarrant Architects.

While CTE building construction is 96 percent, Irwin noted that there is some “very disappointing news” regarding the project. Building occupancy cannot occur until the switchgear is installed, and this has been delayed until April.

“We are all very sad about that and frustrated,” Irwin added.

The Oak Grove cafeteria addition is 98 percent complete. The roof top HVAC unit has been delivered and set into place, and the HVAC system will be operational soon. So far, there is no date for completion or substantial completion.

The Whitley North HVAC system upgrade, which includes geothermal installation, is 99 percent complete. Closeout documentation is under review.

“Some of these projects are getting very, very close to being completed,” Irwin noted.

Other building projects aren’t quite as far along.

The Whitley County High School physical education addition is about 40 percent complete, and there should be substantial completion of the project by March 27.

The exterior walls of the addition have been completed and brick has been delivered, and the training room is close to being completed.

“That one is going very quickly,” said Irwin.

Contracts have been signed for the Whitley County Middle School track upgrade.

Paperwork is being reviewed for the Whitley County High School athletic field project, which includes installation of artificial turf at the football stadium.