Building Brighter Futures: Gates Chili reports progress on Phase 1 and Phase 2; stadium lighting contract in place

District facilities staff reported steady work on the Building Brighter Futures (Future Ready) project at the Gates Chili Board of Education meeting, highlighting interior finishes, HVAC and ductwork progress, and site work for Phase 2.

The presenter — identified as a district facilities representative — said Phase 1 work at the middle school included painted ceilings and classroom walls, new flooring, doors and hardware, completed drinking-fountain installs and near-complete ductwork in technology classrooms. At the high school technology space, contractors are finishing exterior doors and windows, plumbing and continuing ductwork; the presenter said weather delayed a planned slab pour but crews expect progress in March.

Phase 2 work reported at Florence Brasser Elementary School includes staging-area preparation, storm-line installation, topsoil stripping on athletic fields and demolition of the former OT/PT storage area. The presenter said foundations for a small main-office addition are starting and that contractors are preparing field lighting; the electrical contractor named to bring power for stadium lighting was identified as Blackman Ferrell.

On budget, the presenter said Phase 1 contracts had not changed and that Phase 2 public-contract expectations are near an amount referenced in the presentation; the presenter also said contingency for the project stood at about $1.7 million and that allowances across the phases total roughly $570,000 (the presenter noted about $142,000 of that had been expended). The presenter cautioned some figures shown were preliminary and tied to forthcoming contract recommendations to the board.

Photos shown to the board included interior woodworking rooms, middle-school skylights, field dirt work and demolition at Florence Brasser. The presenter said final field grading and material import will continue over the next month and that technology, health and art departments are scheduled to move into renovated spaces at the end of March.

Board members asked about pedestrian improvements near the middle school; the presenter confirmed a Spartan Way sidewalk and a retaining wall to connect to existing sidewalks are planned. The board also discussed tours for students to observe construction for career exposure.

No formal contract vote for the stadium lighting was reported during the facilities presentation; a separate action item later in the meeting approved a scoreboard contract to TAFS Sports and other procurement actions.