Elementary construction begins at wet site

By BECKY THOMAS

Staff Reporter

The Cheney School District officially began the final phase of construction funded by its 2010 construction bond with a groundbreaking ceremony for a new elementary school at the corner of Hallett and Holly roads in Spokane County, about a mile west of Windsor Elementary School. The district selected Spokane firm Leone and Keeble to manage the construction, which is scheduled to finish next fall.

Site superintendent Steve Frase said the site presents its fair share of challenges, mainly in the form of wet soils. While the building pad was prepared last fall, the surrounding area is saturated by spring rains.

“Our challenge is to beat the water,” Frase said. The water problem means the contractor will aim to complete parking lot paving this summer before the cold seasons dump more moisture on the area, as well as having the exterior of the building completed before winter.

This is the first project Leone and Keeble will complete for the Cheney School District, but they have demonstrated work in the area, with ongoing construction at Eastern Washington University's Patterson Hall and a new contract with Eastern to build its new dormitory in Cheney. Frase said the elementary school construction project would employ around 70 people.

Becky Thomas can be reached at [email protected].

 

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