Windermere project delayed by steel issue; HVAC and playground updates provided

The Ellington Board of Education on Aug. 27 heard construction and facilities updates that included a schedule delay at the Windermere project, ongoing HVAC work at multiple schools and plans for playground openings. Miriam, chairing operations, told the board that Windermere's completion date has been moved to August 2026 after contractors discovered a steel component had been five feet longer than planned and new steel had to be ordered; the work added 106 days to the project schedule and a corresponding change order. Miriam said a change order for additional funds has been submitted to the Permanent Building Committee. Gary, reporting for the Permanent Building Committee, said the Windermere project is about 55% complete and that a $1,800,000 contingency remains available for the rest of the project. He said the Windermere gym floor will be refinished next summer and that new bleachers and painting are complete enough for gym classes in the coming school year. On HVAC work, operations reported that the high school's new boilers, pumps and piping work are expected to be finished in December; the middle school's old boilers and hot water heaters have been replaced and the heating system was separated from the hot-water system, which operations said should reduce gas usage. Installation of control valves and preparation for outdoor-air units at center school are ongoing, with outdoor-air units slated for June 2027 to avoid disruption during the school year. On playgrounds, Alyssa said the new Windermere playscape opens to students the first day of school but will open with one swing removed because a third-party evaluation showed a slide was too close to a swing; the old playground will remain open while demolition and installation proceed and public works is weighing whether to relocate the old equipment to a town site such as Penny Field. Board members discussed wanting local contractors used where possible and asked for tours as sections of Windermere come online. No vote was taken; the updates were for information and committee oversight.