TAPS Supt.: School project a bit behind, but no need for alarm

A Massive crane could be spotted from about a mile away at both Tracy Area High School and Tracy Area Elementary School, placing rooftop handling units, two of which were placed through the roof into the mechanical penthouses, according to Tracy Area Public Schools Supt. Chad Anderson. The largest unit is an ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilator) sat on a roof curb and was self-contained without a penthouse needed. The new equipment is state-of-the-art and provides a mix of fresh air, and can dehumidify and can heat or cool from the boiler and the chiller. The crane was from Schaffer Crane company in New Ulm and was a 240-ton mobile hydraulic unit. A total of nine rooftop air handling units were installed — five at the high school and four at the elementary during a two-day lift. The heaviest unit was 11,000 pounds. Photo / Per Peterson

While there is no need for great concern at the moment, the District No. 2904 School Board on Monday was informed that the multi-year infrastructure project at both the high school and elementary school is a bit behind schedule.

In an update on the construction project, Gene Salmi of SitelogIQ said work at the high school is 54% complete, and is 51% complete at the grade school.

The deadline for substantial completion is Aug. 16. The first day of the 2024-25 school year is currently set for Tuesday, Sept. 3.

“We’ve had some issues recently,” Salmi said. “We’ve started recent discussions with Peterson Sheet Metal about sequencing their work, and also on a manpower issue with the guys that put up the duct work. We stressed to them that all work must be competed as a team and to meet substantial completion. All the trades need to be competed on time for the owner. We established that very cleary (Monday). They’re addressing these issues, and we’ve asked that they give us their response very soon.”

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