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Construction on Elgin Independent School District’s series of expansions and new schools continues to run smoothly despite rain delays.
Executive Director of Operations Mike Brooks provided an update on the 2021 Bond Projects during the last School Board meeting.
“We’re still on track to finish everything, and that’s just proof that [the construction companies] are still trying to get ahead, they want to be out of here as quickly as they can also,” said Brooks.
Weatherproofing for the new Harvest Ridge Elementary School is underway and is expected to see some masonry brickwork going up in March. Structural steel has been erected, along with building concrete, exterior metal stud framing and roofing.
Permanent electricity has been delayed because of inclement weather, according to Brooks.
“We’ve had twice as many rain days in January as they projected. It may slide, but we’re still on track,” said the director.
The project is expected to be completed by June 10, to open Aug. 19, the first day of school, with about a $32 million budget.
Expansions to Elgin High School are also progressing smoothly, according to Brooks, with additions to classrooms, CTE facilities and a new auditorium. The majority of underground utilities are complete, with foundations and framing finishing up soon.
The crew took advantage of rainy weather and planted some grass seeds to stabilize soil around the discus and shotput areas, near the track.
The new greenhouse is planned to be completed first in June, with other additions to follow once per month up through 2025. Construction budget for all work reaches almost $55 million.
Construction on the fresh multipurpose facility will continue through late July, with an $11 million budget, and the new transportation facility will follow in October, with $6 million.
The team’s civil engineer just finished a survey to determine which trees can stay, need to be removed or replaced around the transportation center’s area.
“It’s a long, drawn-out process, but it’s necessary,” said Brooks.
A temporary on-site sewer facility is being designed to serve through mid-2025, until it can be connected to a nearby developer.
Trinity Ranch, the district’s second new elementary School, is “looking to break ground soon,” added Brooks.
