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LEWISTON — The Lewiston High School expansion is “on time and on budget,” according to assistant principal Jay Dufour, who is also is the Lewiston School Department liaison for the project.
The $13.4 million project is slated to be completed in time for the 2021-22 school year.
“Much of the interior demolition to connect the new wing to the main part of LHS has been accomplished,” Dufour said in late February, and Ledgewood Constrution was finishing up electrical connections.
“Preparation, inside and outside, is well along for the additional elevator, and a seminar room in what formerly was administrative space is almost ready for drywalling and ceiling installation,” he said. Creation of the new functional life skills program space is in progress, as are the redeveloped administrative offices, including the the school resource officer’s base of operation.
The former adult education area has been dismantled, and that program will be relocated to the newly renovated section of the school, Dufour said.
“Three doorways in the guidance department lobby have been totally knocked out, and will become entryways to a staff workroom, the special education offices, and the expanded nurse’s suite,” he said. “Upstairs, the school resource officer’s office and AFJROTC quarters were demolished, and are being relocated, to provide space for elevator access and the connector hallway to the new wing respectively.”
The new structure will add classrooms and house the visual and performing arts production and rehearsal areas.
Adra Architecture president Timothy Brochu, who is the clerk of the works representing the school department’s interests, said that the last steel girders were installed on Feb. 12 by Davis Erectors, subcontractor for Structure SBL.
“Ledgewood Construction is doing a very good job on site, addressing questions and responding to changes,” he said. “I’m impressed with the way the company has managed this merging of the new with the previous construction. “The project superintendent, Steve Gwarjanski, is really on top of all phases, making my job a lot easier. As an architect, myself, I can see the excellent collaboration among the architectural firm (Lavallee/Brensinger), the contractor, and the school department.”
Even the lead-up to construction went well — so well, in fact, that the taxpayers, students, and staff are going to realize a bonus, Dufour said. “When all the bids and other financial data came together, and construction was virtually ready to begin, the footprint for the wing was expanded by eight feet from front to back along the entire length, well within budget,” he said.
