Ohio County Schools Construction Projects Continue
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WHEELING -- Buildings within Ohio County Schools may be empty of students, but construction projects are continuing, according to Assistant Superintendent Rick Jones.
There is a $22 million renovation project presently happening at Wheeling Park High School, and visitors certainly will notice work happening at the front entrance. The project represents a significant part of the overall $76 million in construction happening within Ohio County Schools as part of a $42.2 million bond issue passed by voters.
The main offices inside the front doors are being renovated, and much of the entrance is being reconfigured to provide for a two-story addition at the front of the school.
There presently is a giant hole in the ceiling inside the front doors. Jones said that is where a new stairwell leading to the upper floor will be, and the stairs will be placed soon.
There also is a shaft for a new elevator being built. The stairs and elevator will lead to the second floor, where new classroom and office spaces are being framed at the front of the building."They haven't started the addition yet, but they are prepping it outside," Jones said.
Outside the building, a new wrestling room is being constructed.
"It is just a shell right now, but it's close to being completed," he said.
David Crumm, director of maintenance and transportation for Ohio County Schools, said work at WPHS will next take place to renovate the guidance office area, and turn the former wrestling room into a strings and music area.
"We'll also be moving into locker room areas to start work in the spring, or after students are out for the summer," he said.
The overall project at WPHS was expected to take three years, and it is estimated it will be completed in about 18 months, according to Crumm.
Another large addition is being constructed at Triadelphia Middle School.
"There is progress every day," Jones said. "They just poured the concrete for the second floor. Once that is dry, they can build that floor as well, place the blocks and then we will see where the windows will be.
"It's a lot bigger than I thought."
The corridors to the addition on each side are being constructed, and will have new bathrooms off of what will be the new lunchroom, according to Jones.
Most of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning work is nearly completed, he said.
Two new offices have been constructed within the school. One is for a counselor, and the other would be used by any private agencies coming into the school and needing a place to meet with students and staff.
Classrooms that will serve as future science rooms have been gutted, and are awaiting casework, according to Jones.
Next door, Steenrod Elementary is getting a new roof and work has begun on construction of a new cafeteria addition.
The HVAC systems are in the process of being switched over to newer energy-efficient systems at Triadelphia and Steenrod, and also at West Liberty Elementary School. Now is a good time to make the change as there are no students in the school, according to Jones.
Work in the gymnasium at West Liberty Elementary School is finished, and the school now has maker spaces containing tools for school projects.
Construction work made possible by the bond had already been completed at Ritchie and Madison elementary schools as well as Bridge Street Middle School, he said.