At the Whitehall-Coplay School Board committee meetings Oct. 10, Jim Hanna, from D’Huy Engineering, provided an update on the new Gockley Elementary School project.

So far, completed work includes the demolition of the existing district office and storage buildings, relocation of the communication and power feeds across Zephyr Boulevard and in the area of required sediment traps, installation of a new sanitary line and relocation and repair of water lines. An 8-inch duct pipe vital to the continuation of construction finally came in after being ordered in May, Hanna said during the operations/transportation portion of the meeting.

Much of the stormwater conveyance system and channels that connect existing lines have been completed, which was necessary before any work on the building pad could be performed.

The installation of sediment traps and the coordination of the architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection within the building have been completed as well.

Work in progress includes special excavation and construction of the building pad, installation of building foundations and masonry bearing walls, adding steel, constructing the first and second floors and roof and the installation of underground electrical mechanical and plumbing within the building pad.

Work beginning includes structural steel, site grading, installation of masonry walls, elevator pit and foundation and preparation of the first-floor concrete slabs.

Before designing the building, Hanna said they had to test the soil to determine if it could carry the capacity of the loads they were going to put on it. Some areas within the building pad required soil remediation, so they had to remove some bad soil and replace it with engineered fill. The soil was moved into large piles in front of Whitehall High School. That soil will be leveled.

“Despite the supply chain delays for the site piping deliveries and public utility delays in their efforts to relocate the underground services, the project remains on schedule,” Hanna said.

Hanna said the project is “entering a critical stage,” and all efforts are going toward completing the area to avoid delays from winter weather. There is a possibility some contingency will be needed for winter protection and overtime for employees. Hanna will come before the board in January if this becomes necessary.

According to Hanna, the project is about to go vertical, and more manpower will be on site.

Hanna said the budget is strong, and the board has authorized $51,441 of the $2.4 million project contingency to cover change orders for fixing sinkholes and repairing a broken fire hydrant.

Next, Hanna updated the board on the 2023-24 capital improvement projects. An evaluation was completed of all systems in district buildings, and a list was created with the highest priorities at the top. Completed 2022 projects include the installation of Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant steps to the Whitehall High School stage.

Also, Zephyr and Steckel elementary schools are the only two schools without a telecenter, which connects all school buildings on paging systems, and Zephyr’s will be completed this year.

Hanna added lightning protection repairs need to be addressed. In addition, there is no fire alarm system in the transportation center, so that is a priority.

Hanna said he has spoken with Athletic Director Bob Hartman, who brought up leaking plumbing, piping and drainage in the stadium. Hanna said the fixtures will need to be addressed eventually. Hanna also said the softball dugouts were reconstructed this year, and the baseball dugouts will be redone next year.

The traffic study recently conducted has been reviewed, and Hanna said speed bumps will be installed on Zephyr Boulevard, Campus Drive and Whitehall Way, and a traffic gate will be added at WHS. The total amount for capital improvements is $1,094,610.

Whitehall-Coplay School District Superintendent Robert Steckel Jr. said they are committed to the 2022 projects, and the board transferred $1 million into the capital reserve fund, but they will look at each of the 2023-24 projects individually as they come up.

Also at the meeting, board President William Fonzone Sr. asked about radon testing and detectors. Hanna said he would check with a consultant about testing.