This rendering provided by The Skillman Corp. shows the stages of the upcoming renovation project at Tippecanoe Valley High School.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

AKRON — Construction phases for Tippecanoe Valley High School’s upcoming renovation were detailed to the Tippecanoe Valley School Board on Thursday, March 17.

Representatives from The Skillman Corp., the chosen construction management company for the project, gave the presentation at the board’s regular monthly work session.

Plans include adding an auditorium and new agriculture area and renovating the pool.

The Skillman Corp. Senior Vice President Scott Cherry introduced the board to the Project Manager Scott Rogers.

The following schedule is planned for construction: Work on the auditorium and pool addition will run from June 2022-July 2023; work on the weight room and locker room addition will run from July 2022-April 2023; work on the auxiliary gym addition will run from August 2022 to August 2023; work on the pool renovation will run from September 2022-May 2023; work on the locker room and agriculture renovations will run from April to July 2023; work on the auxiliary gym renovation will run from May to August 2023; and work on renovations for athletics and the auditorium will run from June to August 2023.

TVSC Superintendent Blaine Conley explained to InkFreeNews later on workers are to actually do site preparation starting around the end of April before commencing building work later on.

A pre-bid meeting is set to occur at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 22, at the high school’s auxiliary gym, which the public is welcome to attend.

The corporation is set to open bids for the project at a special meeting at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 12, at TVHS’ auxiliary gym and award them at its regular school board meeting on Monday, April 18, at Mentone Elementary School.

At Thursday’s meeting, officials also discussed the impact on classes and activities during construction.

“We’ve already met with (Mentone Fire Department Chief Mike Yazel) and discussed egress points, making sure that certain doors that are going to be within those construction boundaries will still have a safe access path in the event of a fire emergency,” said Rogers.

“We are also planning on adding in a temporary exit for the home locker room for football season … and then likewise for the visitor teams we’re relocating them temporarily to the locker rooms on the other side of the building,” he added.

There will also be temporary directional arrows put down before the 2022-23 school year, so people know where to drive during the construction at the school.

Rogers noted workers were going to try to complete utility work in the summer.

“We’re trying to get this all clean and tidy before the school year,” he said.

Cherry said they had met with the corporation’s School Resource Officer Rick Shepherd about maintaining security during the project.

Cherry said they had also factored into delays due to the current climate with getting construction projects done and materials for them.

The board’s next meeting is its regular one at 6 p.m. Monday, March 21, at TVHS.