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Construction update: playground finished; roofing, mechanical work and softball turf on schedule but weather‑affected
Summary
Project presenter Martin Trusdale told the board the early childhood playground is complete, roofing and mechanical work are under way with a weather‑related delay, and softball turf procurement is ready to begin site work pending town permits; administrators discussed using excavated material to create a spectator mound.
The Richland Bean Blossom Community School Corporation received a construction status update in June covering multiple projects across district properties.
Presenter Martin Trusdale reported the early childhood playground is finished and already in use. At the junior high he said through‑wall flashing and masonry work are complete, submittals for roofing and mechanical equipment are filed, and mechanical demolition has begun; the team expects roof membrane and counter‑flashing work to be complete in the next 60 days, weather permitting.
Trusdale said a wet May has set some crews back roughly a week and explained contractors limit daytime tear‑off to amounts they can re‑cover before predictable rain to protect interiors, which can make progress appear slower on some days. He said crews have worked extended hours, including weekends, to recover schedule.
On athletic facilities, Trusdale said the softball turf bid process is complete, contracts and insurance are in place, and permits are being processed with the town. Erosion‑control fencing and a storm‑water protection plan will be installed first; heavy equipment should arrive soon. The town asked for enhanced storm‑water retention, and the team is exploring whether excavated material can be used to create a spectator mound between softball and baseball fields similar to an example observed in New Palestine.
Finally, design development for junior high and high school additions and renovations has been completed and estimate refinements suggest costs are below earlier schematic projections. Bid documents are targeted for July 3, and bid openings are scheduled for early August with board approval of contract awards expected at the August board meeting.
Why it matters: The projects affect building conditions, safety and student experience. Schedule, weather and town permitting remain the principal project risks, and the district is watching permit timelines to avoid heavy construction during the school year when possible.
Next steps: Administration and the construction team will continue submittals, manage permit coordination with the town, install initial site protection for the turf project and return to the board with bid results in August.
