CARIBOU, Maine — The Caribou Community School project is still making great strides during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the new facility on track for completion in time for the next school year.
Gregg Bouchard of CHA Architecture, and clerk of the works for the new school project, said the substantial completion date is set at Aug. 1 and final completion is scheduled for Sept. 1.
As of June 25, Bouchard said Maine Masonry, NS Giles Concrete and Wagner Drywall — three major subcontractors in the project — are either at full completion or very near completing all of their work.
A pre-engineered steel biomass building is under construction, and a Messersmith wood chip boiler has been delivered and set in place.
The interior of the Caribou Community School shapes up as contractors continue work. (Courtesy of Gregg Bouchard)
The brick facade is now complete, and Bouchard said contractors are making good progress installing metal cladding. Metal fascia with the maroon Caribou school color has been installed.
He said there is a large amount of earthwork to complete, and commended subcontractor Soderberg Construction for doing all of the earthwork and demolition work required, adding that they are on schedule and that the completed portions of the project are of great quality.
Contractors are working on interior finishes such as flooring, ceilings, painting, drywall, gym and kitchen equipment, as well as electrical and mechanical equipment installations.
Contracting crews work on the new Caribou Community School in mid-June. (Courtesy of Gregg Bouchard)
To meet standards set amid the COVID-19 pandemic, lead contractor Bowman Constructors has set up hand washing and hand sanitizer stations, and has ensured that surfaces are wiped down and disinfected daily. Social distancing has also not been an issue in the 121,385-square-foot building.
Bouchard said an average of 85 to 95 workers are on site each day, and that some days he has seen up to 118 staff working to finish the project.
He said NS Giles has placed 4,715 total yards of concrete, completing all work for the project. Maine Masonry has laid 162,000 red bricks to complete the brick facade, and that Arc Erecting has installed a total of 280 tons of steel.
Bouchard commended the work of all involved with the project, saying that Bowman Constructors and all subcontractors performed great work, and everyone collaborated well throughout the process.
“The RSU 39 [Caribou and Stockholm school district] and Department of Education have been an absolute pleasure to work with,” he continued. “CHA Architecture & Consulting Engineers have done an absolutely magnificent job to design such a beautiful school for RSU 39,” adding that the community should be proud to have “such a beautiful new campus.”
