Timberlane could get temporary CO shortly

Students may be in new addition by week of Jan. 8

By John Tredrea
   Work on the $11.2 million addition to Timberlane Middle School is drawing to a close.
   "Everything looks very promising," said Chris Leyerberger of the Yardley, Pa., firm of Centerline Associates during Monday night’s school board meeting.
   Centerline is the construction management firm overseeing work at Timberlane as well as renovations at Central High School.
   Mr. Leyerberger said a temporary certificate of occupancy (CO) is expected to be obtained for Timberlane early next week.
   The addition’s fire alarm is operational and has been certified. "That’s major," Mr. Leyerberger said. Final electrical inspections are done. Final plumbing inspections are expected to be done this week. Also slated for this week is startup of the geothermal heating system and final painting.
   Delivery of furniture for the addition is scheduled for the first week in January.
   Also complete are the new gym floor, toilet partitions, concrete sidewalks, exterior lighting and other jobs. The remaining work is drawing satisfactorily to a close, Mr. Leyerberger said.
   John Nemeth, district business administrator, said recently that the new Timberlane space would not be available for use on Jan. 2 when students return from winter break. The next week, which begins Jan. 8, is more likely, he added.
   The Timberlane expansion was the largest component of the $15.5 million referendum approved by Valley voters on Sept. 28, 2004. It includes: 10 new classrooms, including two science labs and a larger band room; a new gym, expanded locker rooms and offices; conversion of a small auditorium into two computer labs; renovation of two sets of student lavatories; retrofitted gym bleachers to comply with a state mandate; expanded space for the school nurse; and a renovated kitchen.
   At Central High School, installation of new bleachers in the school gymnasium is scheduled to be finished this week, Mr. Leyerberger concluded.