2008-Jul-25 - New transformers almost in place at HHS, track resurfacing also ...

"When we turn it back on, you never know what's going to happen,"Pickering said, naming potential problems that could be discoveredwhen the school is repowered. "We're right on time. It's goingreally well. Anything could happen, but I seriously doubt it."

He added that American Inc. is about 80 percent of the way throughthe project. The cost of the transformer project came in well underbudget, he said.

Cheryl Silva, district assistant superintendent of businessservices, agreed with Pickering that she was pleased with theprogress of summer facilities projects at the high school.

"Our projects all seem to be running on schedule," Silva said."We're keeping our fingers crossed that the transformers actuallyget done a little ahead of schedule."

But the track at Neighbor Bowl will take slightly longer thanPickering hoped.

When the prior track surface was lifted, cracks and rough areaswere found in the concrete and asphalt underneath. Silva said thedistrict is anticipating a change order to raise the cost of theproject due to necessary concrete repairs. Concrete repairs requirea 28-day cure. The all-weather surface is expected to go downbeginning Aug. 11, and take about two-and-a-half weeks to complete.

"The big deal was getting a lot of work done before the Fourth [ofJuly]," Pickering said. Neighbor Bowl is the site of the city'sannual fireworks show.

Both the track and transformer projects were at a stoppable andsafe point for the fireworks and festivities to go on as planned --festivities were powered by donated generators.

Pickering said he anticipates Neighbor Bowl to re-open to thepublic by the end of August -- in plenty of time for the first homefootball game in September.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2424.