Ground broken for new Arlee Elementary School wing and gymnasium

By B.L. Azure

Sod and topsoil is being stockpiled for use later in the construction of the Arlee K-3 elementary school and the gymnasium/multi-purpose facility. (B.L. Azure photo)

ARLEE — At long last the dream of many Jocko Valley residents was realized recently when ground was ceremonially broken for phase-one of the new educational facilities on the campus of the Arlee school system. Phase-one includes the new Kindergarten through third grade wing of the elementary school and the new gymnasium/multi-purpose facility.

The dream has had a few rude awakenings since Arlee School District voters cast ballots in November 2006 in favor of funding phase-one of the project for $4.2 million. The elementary school wing was pegged at $1.8 million and the gymnasium/multi-purpose building was pegged at $2.8 million. However, inflation quickly ran up the price tag.

The minimum acceptable bid from Missoula based Sirius Construction came in nearly $2 million over that amount. But after a lot of jawboning between the school officials and Sirius Construction much of that cost has been whittled back by design elements being eliminated in both buildings. Some of them could be added at a later date should more funding become available. Once all the financial ducks got in a row last month the Arlee School District Board of Trustees voted to enter into a contract with Sirius Construction for $4,447,800.

Loren Leake, project superintendent, said Sirius Construction has a lot of expertise under its hardhat when it comes to construction of large pubic facilities. They have constructed several educational facilities for the Missoula School District and the University of Montana.

“We will be handling all phases of construction,” Leake said. That includes among other things the awarding of subcontracts. “We will also be using a lot of subcontractors that we have used in the past. We’ve been around for thirty years now and we’ve developed a good working relationship with them. We will also be awarding subs to local contractors.”

There is a one-year building construction window and the buildings are scheduled for completion next spring or summer well ahead of the 2009-2010 school year. That will allow for the moving of equipment from the existing elementary school, gym and kitchen. The school lunch facility will be located in the gymnasium/multi-purpose building.

Structurally integrated panels will be used for the K-3 elementary wing. The panels are comprised of oriented stand board sandwiching a foam molded insulation product similar to Styrofoam but much stronger.

“The panels allow us to build without stick framing. It is a superior product than stick framing and speeds up construction immensely,” Leake said. “The pre-insulated panels retain heat in the winter and stay cool in the summer far better than a stick wall. They are pre-drilled for plumbing, electricity and technology.”

The structurally integrated panels are manufactured by Big Sky Insulation at its Belgrade facility. They are one of two manufacturers in the region; the other is in Spokane. Sirius provided Big Sky Insulation with the architectural blue prints and they engineer every panel and mark it so it goes together like an easy jigsaw puzzle.

Leake said he advises people to build their homes with structurally integrated panels because of the huge savings on utility bills. “We (Sirius) really embrace the panels. It is a real good way to build because of the sturdiness of the product and the immense savings on utility bills,” he said, adding that the company has built a lot of homes in Missoula using structurally integrated panels. The panels have a crushability rating five times that of a stick framed wall. Standard roof trusses that span the building will be used.

The gymnasium/multi-purpose facility will be a steel post and beam structure covered with steel siding.

“The gym is a multi-purpose building that can be used by the whole community,” Leake said. “In small towns these buildings serve as a community center and foster community pride. And all the facilities provide for a modern and safe environment for the education of students as well as adults.”

Sirius Construction crews and subcontractors are currently preparing the grounds for footings, stem walls and concrete slab floors. Then it is onto the building and erecting the walls followed by the roof construction.

Leake said that the construction would employ from 100 to 150 people when in full swing. “They will be bringing a lot of money into the local economy,” he said. He said existing food service providers are already adding to their menus.