Contractor says stadium, playground mobilization planned April 1; district told switchgear lead time pushes some work to 2027

Tyler Bush of McKentry presented a multi-site construction update to the Colstrip Public Schools board, saying the contractor has most design professionals and about 70% of subcontractors under contract and that the district has received initial project funds.

"We're under contract with, I think approximately 70% of all of our subcontractors," Bush said, and added the team submitted its first pay application this month and started an initial draw. He said playground equipment and stadium seating have been released and the contractor is coordinating demolition mobilization targeting April 1.

Bush said the project team is coordinating field and track logistics so seasonal athletics are not disrupted. "We should have no impact on the educational environment for the remainder of this year," he told trustees, noting that tradespeople will not be working inside occupied buildings during the school year and the contractor will use fencing and signage to protect students.

He warned that some electrical equipment carries long lead times: "The switchgear stuff will be summer of '27," Bush said, noting a roughly 52-week procurement lead for certain switchgear components and that electrical installation timing depends on receipt of those parts.

Trustees asked for coordination details about the placement of jump pits and high-jump apparatus; Bush said the design team is reviewing options and will supply renderings and updated drawings for reference. He offered to provide higher-resolution design files and clarified the current drawings are still in development.

Next steps include moving equipment out of grandstands, mobilizing demolition crews, finalizing coordination with coaches and administrators, and delivering updated design renderings to the district for review.