The Putnam County schools early learning Academy is nearing its final stage of construction.
Energy Systems Group Engineering Manager John Waddle said he was confident the renovation project was close to completion in Thursday’s board meeting and the council unanimously approved to pay Energy Systems Group some $702,000 for the renovation project. Waddle said he estimates the project will be completed by the end of the month. Waddle said the project would be in good hands with his successor, Todd Anderson.
“(Anderson) will be finishing for me and he is very capable,” Waddle said. “He does the same thing I do with ESG. He’s actually been coming down here for the last couple of months helping me out because he had some additional bandwidth. So, he’s already well up to speed with everything that needs to be done even before I decided to retire.”
According to Waddle, the flooring, overhead insulation, scaffolding, doors fire extinguishers and light fixtures in the renovated learning academy are all in its final stages.
“I wanted to get this project to the finish line and… it’s close enough I can see the finish line, so I feel good about it,” Waddle said.
Waddle said they are still waiting on furniture delivery on other finishing touches.
“Our little ugly duckling is turning into a swan and I couldn’t be more proud,” Waddle said. “So, since we last spoke, all the flooring is now 100% complete. All the restroom fixtures have been installed and they’re all operational.”
Waddle said they had a delay with the exterior stairs that serve as fire stairs for emergencies. Waddle said they will submit a final design to the Fire Marshal next week.
“We’re looking at probably three to four weeks maybe, maybe a little longer before those come in,” Waddle said. “We’re pushing the manufacturer to get those done to us as soon as possible. And we’re working with the architect for our final submittal.”
Waddle also said work has started tor repair the Parkview Elementary wooden gym floor, and the sanding, painting and resealing will be completed by next week.