Gym remodel work ramps up

Several items have been checked off the to-do list for the Whitefish High School gymnasium remodel project even before work kicked into high gear this week during spring break.

“To date progress has been moving along at a very good pace,” said Dow Powell, who is overseeing the work as the school district’s representative. “The job has been staying right on schedule or slightly ahead.”

Demolition on the south third of the gym is finished. The majority of the painting and the acoustical insulation have been completed in the south section.

The new west entrance for the fitness room has been cut into the building. Work has begun on the construction of the mezzanine level.

The wood on the north bleachers was removed and stored for future use. The scoreboards were removed and stored for use at the middle school.

Upcoming work includes demolition in the north portion of the gym and removing the bleacher structure, floor, basketball hoops, press box, acoustical panels and speakers.

Around mid-month the steel structure for the mezzanine will be erected and the concrete deck slab for the mezzanine will be poured.

Construction began in late February and is expected to be completed June 30. They gym will be closed to all activities until work is completed.

The gym is being renovated at a cost of about $850,000. The high school received a state Quality Schools Grant to replace the floor and install new bleachers.