As the season turns to autumn and leaves begin to fall from the trees, block continues to go up on the site of the future Williamsport Area Middle School.
"I love how it's coming together," said George Dickerson, on-site construction manager, on the progress of the project.
The goal for the project is to have the entire building enclosed and to have mechanical systems in place as winter approaches so it can remain on schedule for a mid-July finish.
"We're still right on schedule. We haven't lost anything. We're trying to gain (time)," Dickerson said "It's important (to have the building enclosed by winter) because we have to have a continuation during the winter."
As cement is being laid for a new main entrance, workers continue to build up walls and install mechanical systems in a new addition to the former Roosevelt Middle School. The foundation of the second floor of the new section is in place. Construction for walls on the second floor also is underway.
Dickerson said that it's the "main focus" of the project now so workers can control the temperatures inside the building to continue work no matter what the weather outside is. Roofers are working on the existing section of the building so that they can mobilize once the addition is ready.
"That's the biggest milestone, for us to close (the building) in," Dickerson said.
Although workers still are building walls in the new section, the existing section of the building already has drywall up and new windows installed.
"I would say within the next three weeks we'll be painting," Dickerson said of the existing section of the school.
Dickerson explained that each of the classrooms will have "little mechanical rooms." He said this will help create an enjoyable environment for each room.
He used a classroom with students who were just at a physical education class as an example.
"They're huffing and puffing, ready for a nap. The system knows to pump some fresh air in to keep these kids awake," he said.
Dickerson added that the project hasn't seen any problems.
"This really hasn't been too bad. I can't really think of anything that's held us up," he said.
The only slight problem he's encountered is with how much water the property had absorbed before construction began. He explained that the ground where the building sits took on all of the water that ran off the hill behind it.
To fix the problem, a large water basin was installed under the ground behind the building, which will collect the water and dispose of it through another drain away from the building.
"Then the water doesn't come down here," Dickerson explained.
The school's new main entrance will be the last part of the building to be constructed because other sections have required large pieces of equipment, which come through the front entrance.
Dickerson added that since the school already is slated to open August 2013, there is no "whether or not," when it comes to finishing on schedule.
"We will make it. We always do. It's just how easy it is (to complete)," Dickerson said.
He said work just needs to continue as it has.
"It's all important so we just keep pushing," Dickerson said.
