Construction on Whitley Co. High School Career and Technical Building proceeding

Despite being over budget, construction of the new Whitley County High School Career and Technical Education Building is proceeding.

The Whitley County Board of Education approved a $3,192,950 bid from Van Hook Enterprises Inc. for construction of the building during its regular monthly meeting Thursday.

Beth Bauer, a project manager with Ross Tarrant Architects, noted that there were two project bidders and Van Hook was the lowest in all areas.

“As far as the construction costs, it did come in high. This is what we are seeing in the industry. It is not anything specific to this region or this county. Industrywide prices are high for materials and labor. There are long lead times to get materials. There is a labor shortage. Gas prices are helping to drive up material costs,” noted Bauer.

In March, Bauer informed the board that price estimates for just the base bid had increased $200,000 alone from the previous month.

The total project costs, including architectural fees, surveys, site testing and so forth will be about $3.6 million. This includes a 5 percent contingency fund.

“We are excited to have this,” Superintendent John Siler noted despite the price increase.

Construction on the project should start next month with a planned completion date in November 2022, but this could change depending on material availability, particularly the prefabricated metal for the building.

“They are saying from the day you order it; it could be six to eight months before it is ever delivered,” Siler added.

The original completion date was July 2022, but school leaders opted to delay construction because of material shortages.

“In January 2023, we hope to have students in that building taking trade classes,” Siler said.

Among other things, the 10,500 square foot building will include two 450 square foot classrooms for the electrical program and the carpentry program in addition to carpentry and electric labs, which will run between 3,000 – 3,500 square feet.

It will have brick on the lower portion of the building with metal used at the top, and a custom color.

Siler noted that the brick and custom color options were done so that the new building will better match the existing buildings on campus. It will look much like the freshmen academy at the high school.

The project includes construction of a 2,000 square foot facility for use by the Whitley County JROTC. The JROTC room would give the program a designated area for the first time where it can practice in a controlled environment.

“They go and compete. They provide color guard. They assist with funeral services for our veterans. They do so much for the community. This will give them needed space to practice and do PT,” Siler noted.

Also, during its monthly meeting Thursday, the board approved spending $12,300 for a geothermal test bore at Whitley North Elementary School. This is part of the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) upgrades being done to the building.

The current HVAC system is 27 years old and original to the building, and officials hope to install a more energy efficient geothermal system.

Bauer noted that the bore sample is so officials can determine how many wells that they will need, and how wide and deep the wells will need to be.

The test bore sample can be used as part of the well field, she added.

The Whitley North HVAC project will also include a drop down ceiling and improved, more energy efficient lighting.