Update 02.22.10

Milder weather has enabled us to make some good progress over the past week. The floor slabs for the stage area, storage areas and mezzanines were poured last week so that finishes the floor slabs. Metal stud walls continue to go up and door frames installed in the walls. The concrete block walls were finished so the only masonry left is the exterior brick. Plywood sheathing has been installed on the classroom wing and the wood trusses are being installed this week. The roof structure over the gym is getting finished up this week too.

Update 02.09.10

Over the past couple of days, the building has had some dramatic progress. The steel roof joists over the gymnasium have been installed. The plywood sheathing around the outside of the classroom section is being installed. The wood floor joists that frame the mechanical mezzanine above the classroom section have been installed and the plywood floor will be installed in the next day or two. Once this mezzanine floor is built, the wood roof trusses over the classroom area will be installed. Concrete block walls are going up around the gymnasium. The new boiler and pumps for the heating and cooling system have been placed in the existing mechanical room. The stage area has been prepped to receive the concrete floor that goes there and the adjacent rooms. When we have dry days, a lot gets done. But rain is forecast for tomorrow...

Update 02.04.10

The elements continue to work against us but there is still progress. Over 5 inches of snow this past weekend has turned into mush and lots of rain is forecast for the coming days. However, interior stud walls continue to go up and are almost complete. Doors and windows are being framed. Bands of wood are put on top of the metal studs where they will be attaching the wood roof trusses over the classroom area. Concrete block walls continue to go up around the gym area. The metal door frames arrived last week and are being installed in the concrete block walls. As the metal stud walls go up, electrical conduit is being installed inside of the wall space. Keep praying for good weather, safety and progress!

Update 01.26.10

The rain on Monday set us back again but with the sun shining today, several work crews were on site. The masons began building the cinderblock walls between the classrooms and around the gymnasium. As the masons moved upwards, the electricians installed conduit in the walls for wiring. The metal stud wall crew continued work on the exterior walls and framing the doors and windows. Work was continued on building the mezzanine storage area floors with metal decking covering the floor joists.

Update 01.21.10 - Part 2

All of the concrete planned for today is in place. The smoothing out process is underway as a light drizzle starts to fall and the skies start to darken considerably. The concrete trucks were slow in arriving today so the process took longer than expected.

Update 01.21.10

The concrete has come... Pray that the rain will hold off today until late in the day. As I write this, the gym floor has been poured and they are starting on the classrooms. A large pumper truck sends a big arm over the tops of the walls and puts the concrete anywhere in the building from one location. It's fun to watch...

Update 01.20.10

Pray for dry weather! Preparation for pouring the concrete floor slab is going on today with the hope of starting the concrete early tomorrow morning. The stone that goes under the slab was put in last week and the plastic vapor barrier and metal wire reinforcing is being installed this morning. Regardless of the wet weather, the work on the metal stud walls continues and the steel bar joists that frame the floors for the mezzanine areas are being installed. The ceiling bar joists that are the framing for the gymnasium area roof were delivered yesterday and will be installed once the floor slab has been poured. A lot of underground work continues down by the new and existing mechanical rooms as the contractors prepare that area to install the new cooler tower.