Career & Tech Center renovation nears completion; board hears proposal for welding booths and parking repairs

Barnes County North trustees heard a progress report April 16 on the Career & Technical Center renovation and associated program updates.

Gary Bolt, speaking for the center, said exterior brickwork, roofing tie‑ins and classroom finish work are nearly complete and permanent power will be run to classrooms and the construction shop. He told the board that, after the latest change order, about 50.3% of a $153,000 contingency tranche attributed to building repairs has been spent and that an equipment contingency of about $330,000 remains.

Bolt said the center is seeking to use some remaining contingency funds to add five welding booths in the construction shop (quoted at about $34,407) and to replace a staff parking lot section damaged by construction traffic, but he emphasized that grant funds would be preferable for parking repairs. "If we can use grant funds to do it instead of building repair and maintenance, obviously that's ideal," he said.

Bolt also highlighted student success: 16 students placed in the top three statewide; two students from Barnes County North earned top finishes and up to seven students may be eligible for the national competition in Atlanta June 23–27. The students raised nearly $10,000 through raffles and additional funds from other activities to cover travel and registration.

The board asked for continued cost tracking and asked Bolt and staff to return with firm quotes and possible grant sources before committing contingency funds that would reduce equipment reserves.