At Mustang High School, work has started on the expansion and remodel of the football field house and the west side of Bronco Stadium.

Demolition on the football field house began last week. The 9,000 square feet building will double in size to approximately 18,000 square feet. The improved facility will include enough locker room capacity to handle freshman through seniors, showers, restrooms, a film room, laundry room and training room. The project is being funded with $200,000 of 2009 bond money and $1.8 million of MAPS for Kids funds.

At Bronco Stadium, preparations are underway to turn the west side of the stadium into the home side and increase the capacity by approximately 4,500 seats. The design includes new restrooms, concession stand, meeting rooms and a press box. Crews have been shutting off power to the light poles to prepare them for removal. Heavy equipment has been on site all week and the stadium seating is being removed. One of the most visible signs of progress at Bronco Stadium and the field house is fencing.

“We are fencing off the area for safety,” Woodard said. “We are taking all the safety precautions necessary for the kids.”

Woodard said safety barriers have been erected as well to prevent foot traffic into construction areas while still allowing for the egress of Mustang Mid-High students.

“Safety is our number one priority,” Woodard said.

Timberlake Construction, the construction management firm for the 2009 MHS bond projects, will open bids for the field house and stadium renovation on Jan. 5. The bids will be taken to the Mustang Board of Education meeting on Jan. 11. The project is set to be completed by August 2010.

The district is still in the construction documentation phase for projects on the campus of MHS. Over the next two-and-a-half years, crews will construct new 9th, 11th and 12th grade centers, a new commons area and cafeteria. Many of the existing buildings will be renovated.

“We are having weekly meetings with the architects and Timberlake,” Woodard said.

Robert Renshaw, vice-president of operations for Timberlake Construction, said the project was going well and he anticipates good bidder participation for not only the stadium and field house, but also for the renovation and new construction projects at MHS.

“The project is basically a two-year project,” Renshaw said. “We will start in late spring in 2010 and complete the project in the summer of 2012. There are several phases. When new construction is finished, students and faculty will be moved into the new buildings. When existing buildings have been vacated, renovation of those areas will begin. Some renovation will be completed during summer breaks.”

A proposed timeline released in September called for the bus drop off to be moved to a temporary oval. The oval was originally scheduled to be completed by the time students and staff return after winter break. The timeline has been modified, however, and students, staff and patrons should not expect a change to the current traffic routes until later in the spring. The district, MA+ Architecture and Timberlake Construction are evaluating several options for the location of the modified bus and car drop off area as well.

“Behind the scenes there are always changes,” Woodard said. “We have some detailed individuals working on the project, lots of knowledge and lots of skill. At this point, I couldn’t be any happier.”

Woodard said he is pleased with the work of Silvercliff Construction on the new baseball locker room. The 2800 square feet facility is being added onto the existing batting and practice building. Masonry work on the three walls of the new locker facility has been completed. Crews are waiting for the arrival of steel joists to begin construction of the roof.
Historically, the district’s baseball players have had no place to change for games or practice and often changed in their vehicles. Last year, a portable classroom was moved next to the field to serve as a locker room. The new $342,000 facility, which will include locker rooms, showers, a bathroom, a training room and coaches’ offices, is expected to be completed in April. It’s being paid for with MAPS for Kids funds.

The state’s struggling economy has created a bright spot for the district’s construction projects. Bids for the Mustang North Middle School project came in low enough that all the alternates can be included. Woodard said construction at MNMS will include eight new classrooms, an enlarged cafeteria including a stage, a new freezer and refrigerator for the cafeteria and new parking on the west side of the school. The gravel fire-access road that circles behind the building will also be paved.

The contract for Downey Construction was approved at Monday’s Board of Education Meeting. Work was scheduled to start Tuesday.

Part of the 2009 bond issue projects is the re-roof on an older part of Mustang Trails Elementary. The project got underway over the winter break.

 

During an annual review of the district's facilities, site principals put together a list of what their building needed for the playgrounds. Ron Martin, director of operations, created a custom-plan to provide for the needs of each elementary school. Crews should complete installation of playground equipment, surface material and more by the end of March.

 

 

Ten new classrooms were added to Mustang Centennial Elementary. A fire access road will be added this summer to comply with state and local fire codes.

Mustang Valley Elementary's new six classroom addition was completed during the 2008-2009 school year.

 

 

Four new classrooms were completed at Mustang Trails Elementary during the 2008-2009 school year. Students and faculty were able to use the classrooms the second semester.

 

 

Mustang North Middle School is benefitting from a newly paved front driveway.