Sept. 15, 2010
Total cost comes in $1.4 million under budget
The first phase of renovations in the district's $12.7 million capital project has begun.
On September 15, construction crews with heavy equipment in tow arrived in the Secondary School student parking lot, which is now cordoned off by safety fencing.
A new boys’ locker room will be built during this first phase of construction. Three more construction phases are planned this school year: The Secondary School gymnasium reconstruction is tentatively set to begin in March 2011, while work will start on the new cafeteria addition in April 2011.
The final phase of work, which will include heating and electrical, upgrades for restrooms, new gym stairs and a revamp for the school lobby, is set to begin next summer.
Coming in under budget
After the project work went out to bid, district officials received some good news: bids came in lower than originally anticipated, making the total project cost about $11.3 million instead of the voter-approved $12.7 million - about $1.4 million under budget.
When voters approved the project in December of 2007, they mandated the district could not spend more than $12.7 million on the planned improvements. Now that the total project is under budget, the Board of Education can now consider a number of options:
Bond less money (the approved plan would bond $2,028,780 over 15 years, costing district taxpayers an average of $6 per year)
Keep the total amount to be spent on the project at $12.7 million and reserve the $1.4 million as a "cushion" in case of unforeseen expenses
Designate the $1.4 million for new building upgrade needs realized since the capital project was first approved in 2007, as long as those needs fall within the scope of the project
“It’s certainly a good position to be in,” says Business Official Kevin Callagy. “But at the same time, it’s important for us to really weigh all of our options and make the best decision for our finances as well as our facilities.”
Please bear with us
The start of capital project construction means High School students will have to adjust to a couple of changes.
First, the school can only accommodate seniors with parking privileges in the district office parking lot across the street, now that the student parking lot is closed off.
Second, the outdoor area behind the secondary school where high school students were allowed to gather is also blocked off. A courtyard area has been set up at the main entrance for students instead.
A temporary boys' locker room has been set up in the former faculty offices in the music wing.
“We want our students to work with us on ensuring they stay as safe as possible during construction,” says Secondary School Principal Tom McGurl.
To learn more about BKW' capital project, visit
the Capital Project Information Page.
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