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Berglund Construction details Central campus restoration; board to consider contract next month
Summary
Berglund Construction briefed the Lockport Township High School District 205 board on summer restoration at Central campus, describing unexpected masonry and lintel repairs, extensive ceiling and safety work, and recommending ongoing tuckpointing and roof replacement; the firm said it completed most work before school opened and expressed interest in future projects and student internships.
Berglund Construction representatives outlined work this summer at Lockport Township High School's Central campus and urged the board to consider continuing the company's partnership on remaining restoration and maintenance.
Jeff Berglund, president of Berglund's building division, described the company's restoration background and said the project combined his firm's general contracting and historic restoration divisions. He told the board it was "really a joy to work with Dr. McBride and your team" and said Berglund's restoration unit handled unexpected masonry needs uncovered during demolition. (Jeff Berglund, SEG 568)
Senior project manager Neil Offerman and on-site superintendent Gary Spruill reviewed project details: crews removed damaged plaster ceilings and installed new drywall layers and inner ceilings; each layer required inspection for structural integrity and safety. Offerman said the project team prioritized student safety and structural longevity, adding, "the end goal was not just get people back in, but get the children back into a safe building." (Neil Offerman, SEG 641-642)
Berglund described forensic investigations that found lintel damage and the need for engineered shoring and scaffolding to support the roof and upper floors while masonry was rebuilt. The team said earlier contingencies that might have delayed opening were handled and that most work was complete before the district's scheduled reopening, leaving only punch-list items.
During board questions, Berglund staff advised regular tuckpointing and roof replacement as long-term maintenance: "Once you tuckpoint a building, we generally suggest about 30 years from that point" for masonry maintenance (speaker Jeff Berglund, SEG 1030-1036). Board members pressed the firm on life-cycle expectations; Berglund replied that with roof replacement, tuckpointing and ongoing maintenance, the building could provide decades of service.
Board members and district staff discussed the possibility of student internships tied to future construction work; Berglund confirmed they have hosted students for on-site learning and expressed willingness to expand that engagement.
District staff said they would return next month with a contract recommendation and added that Berglund had been among the firms vetted by the district for extended construction management at Central campus.
No formal contract was executed during the meeting; the board reserved action for a future meeting when contract paperwork is made available.
