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Independence Middle School renovation nears completion; board discusses ribbon-cutting before Sept. 10 open house
Summary
SiteLogic updated the Bethel Park School Board on punch-list items and remaining exterior work at Independence Middle School and informal plans were discussed to hold a ceremonial ribbon cutting before the scheduled Sept. 10 open house.
SiteLogic project manager Mike Arnold told the Bethel Park School District Board that work on the Independence Middle School (IMS) renovation is largely finished and staff are closing out a punch list ahead of the district open house on Sept. 10. "We've got a few things to finish up, but we're heading down the right path right now," Arnold said.
The presentation listed interior items still being completed: final finish work in the auditorium, music room and gymnasium; programming of auditorium sound and lighting; and installation of wall and ceiling acoustic panels that are delayed by supply-chain issues. Arnold said locker rooms, health rooms and fitness rooms are essentially complete and the classroom areas are finished.
On the exterior, SiteLogic reported ongoing work on a redesigned gymnasium sign, new trash enclosures, infill at a water-meter pit, and the reverse-parking and traffic-pattern work on a one-way street that is wrapping up. Roof work is expected to continue into September and possibly early October, and final training and measurement verification of building systems will occur in the coming weeks.
A board member asked whether the district and SiteLogic could schedule a ceremonial ribbon cutting for the board immediately before the IMS open house on the evening of Wednesday, Sept. 10, to give trustees a preview. Arnold and his team agreed they would help facilitate a ceremony if the board was available. No formal motion to set a date or time was made during the meeting.
Board members and administrators who toured the building praised the project. One board member singled out SiteLogic employee Joe Penrod for intensive summer work on the renovation: "This project would not have been summer without Joe's efforts," the board member said. Arnold and others confirmed they would continue to work through punch-list items and coordinate a possible ribbon-cutting event amid remaining exterior and paving work.
The board received the presentation and asked questions about sequencing of remaining tasks and whether the majority of visible items could be completed before Sept. 10. SiteLogic said while most work could be substantially complete by then, some items (for example, certain sea cans and back paving) would remain in place until the final punch-list work is finished.
