Forging a future - Marysville's new high school makes progress

Reported in thetimesherald.com
By LIZ SHEPARD
Times Herald

MARYSVILLE -- The new Marysville High School is taking shape. Crews have put up about one-third of the building's steel.

Work started on the site in late August with steel work beginning in late January.

The building, a $42 million endeavor, is just one of the district's projects this year. Construction and renovations throughout the district are being funded by a $74.6 million bond passed by voters.

The new high school will be about 238,000-square-feet and be able to house about 915 students, up from the 800 the current school can accommodate.

Superintendent John Silveri said the construction is creating a "buzz" in the community.

Construction is progressing on track and within the budget, he said.

"Those are two keys to a successful project," Silveri said. "If we can say that at the end of it, I'll be thrilled."

Keith Bowman, field superintendent with McCarthy & Smith Inc. of Farmington Hill, said weather hasn't hindered their efforts.

"It's just been cold, we've just been dealing with the frost in the ground," he said.

Workers have had to adapt to the hard ground by using different equipment at times, Bowman said.

The building is slated to open in fall 2010, said Brian MacAskill, senior project manager with McCarthy & Smith Inc.

The portion of the building already framed will house the media center and classrooms.

MacAskill said work is continuing on other portions of the site, with an orchestra pit already constructed.

Other ongoing bond-funded projects include a new cafeteria and four classrooms at the middle school. A new gymnasium is expected to be ready for students by the end of the month, MacAskill said.

Crews also rebuilt the district's new multipurpose stadium,which was completed prior to the school year.