Some Kalispell school projects nearing completion

Completion dates are near for more of Kalispell Public Schools’ $54 million worth of elementary and high school district projects.

The gymnasium additions are the focus of continued work at Elrod, Russell and Peterson elementary schools. Elrod and Peterson’s gym additions are projected to be completed by January, and Russell in February.

Wood flooring has arrived for the three additions and will be installed after acclimating to moisture levels in the air. This may happen in December, according to the district’s construction representative Erick Enz of Axiom Builders Group. Work is also underway to install roofs on the gym additions.

At Elrod and Russell, crews are finishing electrical, mechanical and plumbing rough-in of breezeways that connect the gym to the school. Next week, crews will start hanging drywall in the gym and breezeway. Additionally at Russell, concrete is being poured for interior and exterior ramps while plumbing work is being finished.

Renovating the main office and entryway is the focus of construction at Edgerton Elementary. Insulation is being installed in the administrative offices with electrical rough-in wrapping up. Concrete is slated to be poured next week for the exterior entryway and curbs if weather permits. Enz anticipates crews will start hanging drywall in the last week of November with the project expected to be finished in December.

The renovation and addition of Hedges Elementary won’t begin until April 2019.

All five schools have card readers installed to control access into the buildings.

The elementary district projects are part of a $25.3 million bond issue that included construction of the new Rankin Elementary, which opened in August.

Crews are framing interior walls at Flathead High School ,with the remaining portion of the structural steel expected to be erected this week on the west end of the second floor of the addition, Enz said.

“We’re finishing some of the [concrete masonry] block on the west wall upper section,” in addition to roofing installation, he said. “That’s continually in process; we’re trying to get that enclosed before the snow flies.”

The high school is on target to be finished in August 2019.

Work at Linderman Education Center has started with demolition of walls and floors in the south end of the building, which formerly housed the Northwest Montana Educational Cooperative and originally served as a church.

“We should have our building permit here pretty quick,” Enz said. “When that takes place actual construction can begin.”

In the main building at Linderman asbestos and lead paint testing is being done. This project has a projected completion date of December 2019.

The H.E. Robinson Vocational Agriculture Center is in the midst of the first phase of a two-phase project.

A pole barn expansion to create an additional 3,300 square feet of storage space has been completed. Framing of an approximately 2,123-square-foot veterinary science building is also finished. Installation of the new greenhouse should be happening soon after grading work is finished. The project is also being tied into the city sewer. The vo-ag center previously sourced water from a well. Phase one is projected to be finished in January.

Phase two will include additions and renovations that will impact the main entrance, administrative offices, welding and science departments, locker area, commons and conference room. Bids for phase two are expected to go out in January. Currently, the floor plan for the welding program is being finalized in addition to refining the budget.

The high school district facilities are part of a $28.8 million bond issue that includes the completed Legends Stadium and deferred maintenance projects at Glacier High School.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.