Schools doing their homework with summer construction

By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Marion and Hillsboro schools have undertaken major improvement projects funded by bonds this summer.

Marion

People driving down Eisenhower Dr. in Marion have been watching a building arise south of the football stadium since January.

The $2.26 million building includes new locker rooms, a weight room, pickle ball courts and room for social gatherings, a new concession stand, a coach’s office, and a referees’ office.

Work began in January after weather delayed its planned start in December.

The building’s inside is 80% done, superintendent Justin Wasmuth said, and the project is on track for completion Aug. 2.

Painters are making the inside blue and red, new flooring is being installed, and locker room equipment soon will be installed.

Parking has been expanded, and the facility now has a parking spot for an ambulance, which formerly parked far back from the stadium. A concrete walkway area now runs from the football stadium to the concession stand.

Wasmuth is proud that the walkway will make it easier for people to get between the building and the stadium.

A brightly colored umbrella-style roof will top concession stand windows.

Regular classes will begin Aug. 15.

After getting “settled” in the building, the district will be host for an area football and volleyball scrimmage Aug. 30 with Eureka, Moundridge, and Remington schools.

New lighting was installed last fall at the football stadium and baseball and softball fields.

“It’s a lot cleaner, a lot brighter, and a lot easier on the eyes,” Wasmuth said. “LED looks great.”

Project contractor The Law Group has been good to work with, Wasmuth said.

“We meet weekly and biweekly,” he said. “They use a lot of local companies. We like that.”

The new building will give the community something to be proud of, Wasmuth said.

Besides the new building, Marion schools also have the Performing Arts Center and the Sports and Aquatic Center.

“Most small towns don’t have that,” he said.

Hillsboro

By the time Hillsboro schools complete a $13.03 million bond project to make general building and sidewalk improvements, is complete, every school building will have been worked upon.

Regular classes will begin Aug. 22.

Some portions of work are running ahead of schedule. Other portions are nearly done. Some projects will be ongoing after the school year begins.

Projects include replacing seats on gym bleachers. That is expected to be completed by the end of this month.

Seats in the school auditorium were replaced. Replacement of the stage floor began July 8 and is expected to be finished within two weeks.

Brick and stone at the elementary school and the middle and high school are being tuck pointed. That work began the last week of May and should be done by the end of this month.

An elevator got a new control board in, work that began in mid-June and now is completed.

Half of the roofs will have been replaced by the time the project is finished. Work began the last week of May and is expected to be finished by the end of the month.

Sidewalks got concrete work staring in June. That work is now finished.

Carpet replacement in the media center, auditorium, and technology center began in June. The work is expected to be finished by Aug. 5.

Multiple doors are being replaced, and a secure entrance is being added to the middle and high school. Doors are expected to be completed by mid-August, and work is expected to last into the fall.

A new playground will be added to the west side of the elementary school.

Students will have to work around some of the projects, superintendent Clint Corby said.

“So far, the bond projects, I’m really happy,” Corby said. “The projects we’re doing will impact generations of kids. It’s been a lot of work, but I certainly enjoy it.”

One thing he noticed is that even though a portion of the project may seem small, a lot of workers are busy with it, he said.

Corby, like Wasmuth at Marion Schools, is glad to see that its lead contractor, DCS Services of Wichita, hired many local companies as subcontractors.