March 28, 2024

Parking lot work begins at PCM Middle School

PRAIRIE CITY — Depending on the impact of forecasted rain storms, the gravel parking lot on the south side of PCM Middle School in Prairie City will be paved within two weeks.

According to Nick Bruck, project manager for DCI Group, the parking lot is one of the final projects remaining for PCM school’s Prairie City campus in the district’s overall $20 million, multi-year facilities renovation project.

During Monday’s PCM Community School District Board of Education meeting, Bruck briefed board members on the latest developments in the renovations at both the Prairie City and Monroe buildings.

Interior demolition has started at PCM High School in Monroe, and asbestos abatement in the soon-to-be-renovated band room is underway. Workers have also bored the final holes for concrete footings in the high school’s new classroom addition.

Board member Nicole Stafford asked Bruck for a comprehensive list of rooms at the high school that would have air conditioning at the end of the project. The DCI Group representative said all HVAC work will be done in phases.

“Sept. 1, the new classroom wing will be renovated with new HVAC, as well as the kitchen and commons,” he said. “Dec. 1, HVAC in the band area will be done. We’ll go away for the spring and hop back in next summer to do the shop and gym. The wrestling room, weight room and administration areas will not be touched (with HVAC). When it’s all done, you’ll have new or existing air conditioning everywhere.”

The board also accepted final completion of two more components of the Prairie City Elementary and middle school projects at Monday’s meeting. Board members voted 6-0 to pay SME Mechanical its final payment of $47,233 and $10,289 to Midwest Automatic Fire Sprinkler.

These payments include the 5 percent retainer the district has been withholding from each project on the renovation until project managers are satisfied with the work.

Board member Alvin Keuning and district superintendent Brad Jermeland were absent Monday night.

Contact Mike Mendenhall at mmendenhall@monroelegacy.com