USD 428 Board of Education members met for a special meeting Wednesday, Oct. 23 at noon at Great Bend Middle School.  They were joined by Gib Compton, president of Compton Construction Corporation, general contractor, and Project Manager at HTK Architects, Charley Sexton, the architect, who discussed progress on the gymnasium project and completion timelines.
At the Oct. 14 BOE meeting, board member Larry Kutina alerted the board that he had several concerns about aspects of the project including interior paint, cracks in cement, drainage issues and the construction of a handicapped ramp.  They were addressed during a tour of the new addition led by Sexton.
Compton was joined by project supervisor Steve Rotramel, who helped clarify what work has been completed, and what is still in progress.  Since Kutina’s previous visit, several aspects of the construction had been finished, and several more, including the paint in question, were scheduled to be completed as the project progressed, Rotramel explained.
Steps
Board members were most concerned by the rough appearance of the concrete steps at the east entrance, a handicapped ramp that was not ADA compliant at the south entrance, and how downspouts and roof drains would tie into storm drains on the west side of the addition.  In addition, there were concerns over cracks in the cement walkways on the west side which were caused during curing.
HTK architects agreed to have the cement steps and and risers at the east entrance smoothed and rounded out on corners and edges beveled for a better appearance.
Drains and ADA ramp
The cement entry at the west entrance of the addition was poured before downspouts for the roof drains were installed.  Now, some cement will need to be removed in order to connect the downspouts with the storm drains below the surface.  HTK and Compton agreed that the district would not be responsible for the expense.
At the south entrance, of particular concern was the ADA accessible ramp.  According to board member Doug Bender, the width of the ramp should be at least 36 inches wide, and landings should be 60 inches wide to accommodate both wheelchairs and walkers.  Because four inch curbs had been installed on either side of the ramp for railing to be installed, the width was only 30 inches, and landings were the same width.  After some discussion, HTK agreed to make the necessary changes at no expense to the district.
Cement
Kutina also pointed out cracks in newly poured cement.  They occurred along natural fault lines, and Sexton stated that while he did not like to see them, it did not surprise him that they were there.  For one on the south west side of the additon, he suggested another expansion joint could be added, and no further cracking would occur.  He also suggested the crack could be routed and filled or have epoxy injected in it.  He did not recommend removing and repouring the cement at that location because the color would not match the surrounding cement.  Another crack further north on the west side could be fixed by cutting the poured cement and installing a  new expansion joint, then removing the cracked section of concrete and repouring it when an adjacent section of concrete is poured.  That will occur after the underground drains are laid and the downspouts on the west side of the addition are connected.
The cracks were caused by shrinkage, not settling, Compton said.  “It’s an aesthetic thing.
“I guess it comes down to how much it’s going to cost, and who is going to pay for it,” Vernon said.
Compton offered to take care of the repairs at no additional cost to the district.  Smaller cracks can be repaired by injecting epoxy into them, which would protect the concrete from further weathering.  Board members agreed the proposed repair was satisfactory.
“In our defense, you’ve brought out some good points today, and thank you for spending the time and sharing with us,” Compton said.  “We’re not done yet.  A lot of the things you are pointing out, we’re not done yet.  It won’t be that way at the end.  So, again, have a little patience with us.”
The district did request one change, which will increase the cost of the project slightly.  They asked Compton to install additional exterior lighting on the south and east sides.
Rotramel said he expects the project will be completed by the end of November.