Under Construction – Newton Daily News

Heavy equipment and fencing is now on full display on the PCM Middle School/Prairie City Elementary campus, as a nearly year-long construction project began Tuesday on the exterior of the two buildings.

Crews began removing trees, brush, shrubs and concrete to clear the path for primary construction, slated to start after students leave for summer break in May. The work is all part of PCMs three-year, $20 million facilities renovation project.

At Monday nights monthly school board meeting in Monroe, PCM Superintendent Brad Jermeland updated board members on construction progress, including interior renovations to PCM Middle Schools auditorium, which began during last weeks spring break.

Asbestos removal from the auditorium and gym was completed Thursday. Construction crews have removed the existing seats and carpet in the auditorium to prep for expanding seating, making stage improvements and other upgrades.

But the most noticeable changes are outside the school, where the former parking lot and bus lane between the schools has been fenced in and transformed into a work zone. By the end of next school year, the area will hold an enclosed breezeway linking the two buildings.

The districts new pick-up and drop-off policy for students and parents was implemented Monday, and PCE Principal Stephanie Ver Helst said it went off without a hitch.

American Fence Company came out and put the fencing up on the property to define different zones for construction. I think that really helped out (Monday). It gave a clear picture of where people could travel and not travel, Jermeland said.

As trees were marked for removal, district officials found at least one was donated and dedicated by a Prairie City family. Jermeland said hes reaching out to any family or individual who donated a tree and will extend the opportunity to replant the variety of their choosing after construction is complete.

This is just the beginning of site work, which Jermeland said will consist of establishing staging areas for the construction companies, tree/bush removal, sidewalk/parking lot removal and dirt work for the Link addition that will be built to connect the two buildings.

The district announced its construction timeline for its Prairie City campus earlier this month.

Late site work in Prairie City will consist of final site grading and installation of new sidewalks to the entrances and adjacent areas. The middle school/PCE parking lot will be completed summer 2018.

Interior construction at PCM Middle School will last through September 2017. Work for the building addition is expected to start in early May and last throughout the 2017-18 school year.

The middle school media center will be renovated this summer, scheduled to begin at the end of May with a tentative finish date in the end of August. The current office area will be renovated this summer into classroom space and will be completed by fall.

Monroe Elementary

Project contractors also began putting the finishing touches on Monroe Elementary School during spring break. Two large cranes were brought to the facility last week to install the rooftop condensers and heating/cooling units.

Read more:
Under Construction - Newton Daily News