Construction of the new Hinsdale Middle School remains both on schedule and on budget, Kerry Leonard, the owner’s representative for the project said Monday.
That means Nov. 19 still is on the calendar as a target for substantial completion, and students and teachers are scheduled to move into the new building following the 2018-19 winter break.
It also means the final budget for the project isn’t expected to be more than the maximum $53.3 million bond sale approved in November 2016 by voters in Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Elementary District 181.
Overall, construction work is about 60 percent done, including 99 percent of the structural steel having been completed, Leonard said.
Area A, which is the three-stories portion of the building east of the atrium, includes most of the classrooms and media resource center and accounts for 55 percent of the total building floor area, is beyond the 60 percent completed mark, Leonard said.
Not as much work has been finished, yet, in Area B, which is two stories, west of the atrium, and accounts for 31 percent of the floor area and includes the likes of band/orchestra/music rooms, cafetorium and locker rooms; or Area C, which is the gymnasium and accounts for 14 percent of the floor area.
“Work is being done in sections, which allows us to maximize the crews,” Leonard said. “We’ll be starting the finishes soon, which includes things like ceiling, carpet, paint, floors and toilet fixtures.”
Leonard said the weather has provided challenges with construction along the way.
“We really haven’t run into any unexpected problems with the construction, but the weather has been tough with a very wet spring, along with the warm and cold cycles during the winter.”
Nicor gas service is scheduled for installation by July 11, and permanent electric power and water and sewer connections are to be completed by Aug. 1, Leonard said.
Demolition of the existing HMS, which is just north of the new development, is scheduled for late February/early March 2019, Leonard said.
District 181 Board President Jennifer Burns, who recently visited the new HMS site, said she was very pleased with the progress on the new school.
“It looks great, and I’m very happy about being on schedule and budget,” she said. “It’s hard to believe how much progress has been made in the past year.”
