By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
The price tag for a new elementary school, which, once
constructed, would become the Red Cliff Elementary, may have
a higher price tag than it would have done had it been bid
earlier.
Of course, that would have had to happen in 2004 to
make a difference.
Ross Wentworth, of Naylor, Wentworth, Lund Architects,
met with the Juab School District Board of Education to
discuss possible costs for three proposed district building
projects.
"We hope we are high on our estimates," said
Wentworth.
Building construction costs, per square foot, are
considerably higher now that the energy costs have increased
but building experts are hoping that those prices
decrease.
Renovating the present Red Cliff Elementary to be used
for 10 to 15 more years as a school, but not one with the
same name, would also carry a hefty price tag.
Renovation, expanding and building schools will cost
approximately $15 million for all three projects.
"The plan for present Red Cliffs (once the Nephi
Elementary) Elementary school would be to remodel the
existing interior core into 11 or 12 newly refurbished
classrooms," said Wentworth.
In addition, he said they would renovate the various
components of the existing building to enhance both the
atmosphere and maintainability of the school facility.
Those changes would include: upgrade of the old
pneumatic mechanical control system to direct digital;
service the steam traps; air condition the computer lab; air
condition the administration area; upgrade the existing fire
alarm system to meet current standards; upgrade the existing
electrical service to 1200 amps; replace the existing light
fixtures with new energy-efficient lamps and ballasts; a
general building allowance to upgrade miscellaneous
finishes; and buildings finishes.
Mona Elementary school would receive an addition of
approximately 12,000 square-feet consisting of 10 new
classrooms and new student restroom facilities," said
Wentworth.
"The new building will be planned to accommodate 750
students and support a traditional k-6 elementary school
program," said Wentworth. "Consideration will be given to
enhancing the learning environment though the development of
both small group and large group activity centers."
A building of something between 71,000 square-feet and
one of 80,000 square-feet is desired by the district.
Wentworth said that construction costs have risen
rapidly this past year.
In fact, the year 2005 will be remembered in the
United States for a series of cataclysmic natural events
that took a toll on the nation's infrastructure and
construction, including the long, busy hurricane season that
culminated in the disaster of Hurricane Katrina.
In addition to damage from hurricanes, storms and
floods hurt areas of the west while drought and fire damaged
others. Rain and floods came to the northeast after a summer
of drought.
As a result of the swings of weather, the price of oil
climbed precipitously, and prices of many other commodities
followed.
Transportation costs and the resultant costs of
hauling materials from one area to another rose quickly.
Construction inflation, which had been rising at a
manageable three and four percent a year, rose more than
that in the last three months of 2005.
To compound the economic problems, interest rates were
pushed up, making borrowing money more expensive, and
foreign markets took more of steel and other construction
commodities, leading to regional shortages.
2005 was a rough year for the construction industry
creating economic and labor cost problems.
"We hope that those costs level off," he said. "In
fact, the timing of the bidding may affect those costs and
lower them."
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