LEESBURG - After about two weeks of weather-related delays, work on the new Leesburg Elementary School got off the ground Thursday.
The new four-section school is being built at the southeast corner of Old Ind. 15 and Armstrong Road.
Steve Fetters, of Fetters Construction, contractor for the new Leesburg and Madison elementary schools projects, said construction on the new Madison should begin shortly, too, weather permitting. The new four-section Madison is being built at the northwest corner of CR 150W and CR 300N.
Warsaw School Board awarded Fetters Construction the contracts for the Madison and Leesburg projects for a sum of $24,506,800.
The contract for the additions and renovations to the existing Jefferson Elementary School, Winona Lake, was awarded to James S. Jackson Co. LLC for $8,182,500.
The contract for the additions and renovations to the existing Claypool Elementary School was awarded to Michael Kinder and Sons Inc. for $8,198,500.
The total estimated cost of the four projects in 2008 was given at nearly $60 million. The cost now is closer to $41 million.
According to a press release from Warsaw Schools Assistant to the Superintendent Chris Gensinger, the new facilities at Leesburg and Madison originally were planned for completion in 2011. Through the efforts of the school and design team, the schools are anticipated now to be open a year sooner, for the 2010-2011 school year.
"This success allows for the addition of much-needed classroom space at the elementary level to support the growing number of students, the spatial needs of special education programs, and the ever-expanding curriculum demands of today's education," the press release states.In a telephone interview Thursday afternoon, Gensinger said, "I just feel fortunate we live in a community that values education for all kids."
He said the new schools will get students out of sub-standard classrooms and into great, new facilities.
"The contractor told me it will be a building like no other in the state of Indiana," he said.
Deb Wiggins, school board president, Thursday afternoon said, "It's very exciting to see all of the work that has taken place in the past come to fruition. All the research, input from parents, community leaders, landowners - everybody - had a role in where we're at in turning the dirt. This didn't happen with just a few select people. All of these decisions were made by a multitude of input and time put into it."
She said, "I'm excited for the project being completed for the school year in 2010. The learning environment for the students will be so wonderful."
