Cornwall-Lebanon updates stadium and district construction projects; unsuitable soils add change orders

District staff on Tuesday provided a semiannual buildings-and-grounds report that detailed ongoing work at the high school stadium, plumbing and mechanical repairs across several campuses, and multiple summer projects at elementary schools.

The district said contractors discovered about 1,100 cubic yards of unsuitable material under the stadium site that had to be removed and replaced with stone before footers could be poured. Staff described the material as a mix of large boulders and clay that would not compact to code, and said replacement work increased excavation depth in places to about 8 feet. The district estimated the direct cost tied to the unsuitable soils at “a little less than $100,000” and said it is verifying change-order amounts with Stackbeck Engineering, FIDavia and Earth Engineering, the geological engineering firm on site.

The stadium project is proceeding in phases: staff showed photos of footers poured and the emerging structure for a new concession-and-restroom building. Work to remove the home bleachers, demolish an existing music/aid stand and complete underground electrical trenching is slated to occur once fall sports finish; the district said it expects the north end of the stadium to be ready for spring sports while work on the south end continues into the summer. Contractors had recovered roughly three of the four weeks initially lost to the unsuitable soils, the presentation said.

Facilities staff also reported an unexpected discovery of an existing radon mitigation system inside a building wall. Staff said the system had not been documented in district records, and contractors removed old pipes and purchased replacement pipe and fittings so floors could be re‑poured without leaving the old piping under slab areas.

At the high school, staff reviewed progress on the new connector building, which includes landscaping and interim classroom and furniture moves. Installation of a fence around pillars and amphitheater areas remains outstanding; staff said the area cannot be opened for student use until that fencing is complete to meet access and safety needs.

Plumbing and mechanical work included replacement and lining of sanitary piping in long corridors (work described as half complete at the time of the report), resurfacing of a gym floor, reroofing of a pavilion, and installation of a new chiller at Union Canal (brought online after minor adjustments). The district also reported work on new boiler pads and arrival of new chillers scheduled for winter installation; staff said the goal was to have boilers operational by mid‑October and to begin chiller work thereafter.

A sinkhole‑type excavation discovered in mid‑June required extensive backfill and testing; crews used multiple concrete trucks to partially fill the void before topping with soil. Staff said the area was tied to a new mechanical/equipment pad and that testing and remediation took about three weeks.

District staff said they expect to salvage and reuse some of the large limestone boulders excavated at the stadium for retaining walls and other site uses and are negotiating prices to repurpose suitably shaped stone in lieu of decayed wooden railroad ties.

Other summer projects summarized in the report included rubber roof warranties now in place for all elementary schools; pressure washing completed at Cornwall Elementary; replacement of hot-water systems and a redundant boiler arrangement at Ebenezer; new interior learning spaces (a “small learning lab” glass enclosure at Ebenezer done with an outside vendor); replacement of stage rigging and fire‑tested curtains at multiple elementary sites; carpeting-to-tile conversions in pods to improve durability and cleaning; and a newly fenced separation between parking and play areas at Union Canal. Staff credited contractors and in‑house crews for work that allowed schools to open on time despite the scale of the projects.

Pool and related systems: staff said the pool was drained over the summer because of plumbing replacement work tied to the pool filter backwash line. After refilling, the pool pump was found seized; the district chose to rebuild the motor rather than replace it, a decision staff said would save roughly half the cost of a full replacement. The district is awaiting a replacement impeller and planned to begin water treatment as soon as parts arrive.

What happens next: staff said change orders and extra costs tied to the stadium excavation are under review with the engineering and geotechnical teams and with the construction manager. Timelines presented target bleacher replacement and other stadium finishes in winter and early spring, with additional high‑school plumbing phases planned for next summer.

Speakers who presented or contributed to the report included Mr. Brickley (facilities/maintenance staff), Mr. Jason (staff, referenced in photos and logistics), and other district administrators who asked questions and thanked crews for summer work.