MONROE: New high school building is on schedule

By Davy James, Staff Writer
   MONROE — Construction of the new Monroe Township High School remains on schedule for 2011, though officials are hoping the winter weather does not cause any significant delays.
   The structural steel for the three-story academic tower is near completion, which will allow further work to be done, according to Monroe Schools Facility Director Gerald Tague.
   ”We’re looking good right now but there is still a lot of work ahead of us,” Mr. Tague said. “A lot of the work to be done is dependent upon the weather. We’re hoping for a mild winter.”
   In 2003, voters approved an $82.9 million referendum for the construction of the school and in December of 2007 approved an additional $41.9 million referendum needed to deal with rising costs for construction and materials. The groundbreaking on the new high school occurred in April, as the 365,000-square-foot building is being constructed on a 35-acre parcel of land in Thompson Park. The construction is expected to be completed in 2011, according to school officials.
   The construction of the new high school has faced numerous challenges due to concerns about disturbing the Bethel Mission, an 18th-century community of Leni Lenape converted to Christianity by Presbyterian minister David Brainerd. An archaeological survey by Richard Grubb and Associates, Inc. completed in May 2007 on the 35-acre parcel of land in Thompson Park showed no traces of the mission on the site of the 365,000-square-foot high school.
   Concrete slabs have been poured for the second and third floors of the academic tower, which will allow the installation of mechanical and electrical piping.
   ”Roof applications on the structural steel followed by masonry work is the next step,” Mr. Tague said. “So what we call the skin of the building will soon start to come up.”
   A crane will be working its way around the site, which will direct other areas of construction, beginning to assemble the structural steel on the auditorium, industrial arts building, cafeteria and gymnasium.
   ”As the crane works its way around the academic tower to erect the other sections, we’ll follow behind pouring concrete slabs,” Mr. Tague said. “That will allow electricians and plumbers to come in and begin the under slab work laying down electrical and plumbing lines.”
   Underground drainage systems, basins and the parking lot are also seeing work done, according to Mr. Tague. However, the bulk of the work ahead will need a helping hand from Mother Nature.
   ”It would be most advantageous for us to get through this season with a mild winter,” Mr. Tague said. “By next winter, hopefully, the building will be enclosed so weather won’t be a factor. But the progress is moving forward well, we’re pleased with the quality and we’re hopeful for good weather through the winter.”