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Ely’s high school building has become a construction zone.
Doors are gone from classrooms and bathrooms have been demolished as work continues on what’s been dubbed the Phase II Completion Project.
In March, school officials approved bids totaling more than $1.75 million for work including new doors for classrooms in both the Memorial (high school) and Washington (elementary) buildings, renovations to the chemistry and art classrooms, campus-wide renovations of student bathrooms, and the addition of bathrooms in both the Memorial and Washington buildings.
Tim Leeson, facilities director for the Ely School District, briefed board members about the progress of the work during Monday’s regular school board session, which because of the construction was held in the media center located in the district’s new addition.
“Everything is rolling as it should,” said Leeson. “The bathrooms are all demo’d. They’re working on the plumbing now. The abatement got pushed back out to the 21st which worked to our favor as they found some block in the special education wall.”
The various components were all part of the district’s original plans for better than $20 million in renovations that were completed last year, but taken out of the project because cost overruns.
Superintendent Anne Oelke said that the first of biweekly meetings with contractors was set for Wednesday.
Construction is expected to be ongoing on campus through the summer as work proceeds.
In February, the board approved a separate $1.6 million bid for new windows.
Leeson said that window replacement will begin in the Washington Building in July and proceed to Memorial, perhaps by the first week of August.
Various classroom renovations and parking lot improvements are also part of the project, which is expected to be finished in time for the start of the 2024-25 school year.
In a facility-related move, board members also voted Monday to send letters of thanks to State Sen. Grant Hauschild, State Rep. Roger Skraba (R) and State Rep. Dave Lislegard (D), as well as The Costin Group, the firm engaged by the district for lobbying services.
Board members are expressing thanks to the lawmakers and the lobbyists for action that led to the award of $5,250,000 to the school district for athletic facility improvements.
A $250,000 allocation was earmarked specifically for Veterans Memorial Field - the baseball stadium on campus - and another $5 million was awarded for athletic facility improvements.
“Things just don’t happen down there in St. Paul,” said board chairman Ray Marsnik. “You’ve got to work hard to get things and these people worked hard for us and I think we need to show our appreciation.”
