(Spirit Lake)– The cost of the construction and remodeling project at Spirit Lake High School is about to go up some more.
It was reported at Monday’s school board meeting construction crews recently discovered existing walls between the classrooms and corridors in the old part of the building don’t meet fire code. As a result, they’ve had to take out all the lockers and put in reinforcing steel beams and sheets of gypsum. Superintendent Tim Grieves says the walls were originally constructed of only plaster. The problem was discovered as crews were working in the ceiling to beef up structures to carry additional utilities.
Grieves says they don’t know yet how much more the added work is going to cost.
Board members are concerned over where the additional money will come from. Grieves says they’ll have to dip into funds earmarked for future projects…possibly setting them back…especially if there are additional unexpected costs with the high school project.
Grieves says the additional work is also pushing completion of the project back further.
