District contractor reports steady progress at Hyde Park Middle and Nibley schools, August occupancy still target

Don Adams, the district facility supervisor, told the Cache County School District board that construction on Hyde Park Middle and the new elementary school is advancing and remains on a cautious path toward an August occupancy. "At December, we were at 71%," Adams said, citing a rise from 65% in November and steady month-to-month gains.

Adams described visible interior progress at Hyde Park Middle: hydronic heat systems, pumps and boilers arriving and being connected, sheetrock and drywall finishing, restroom fixtures being installed, and initial flooring prep. He said crews are preparing to "fire up the main equipment" by March so gym-floor wood can acclimatize for final installation and a June finish of interior work where possible.

At the elementary school Adams reported that tilt wall panels were up, cast-in-place walls and much of the roofing were complete, and that site grading and other heavy work were progressing. He said the elementary project produced "more happened here in December to get us on track than the other schools," and noted contractors appeared committed to meeting schedule targets.

Adams compared Nibley and Hyde Park schedules, saying Nibley was approximately 5 percentage points behind but catching up; drywall, main electrical lines and bathroom tile installations were cited as indicators of progress at both sites. He also described recent crane operations to set large air handlers and emphasized tight tolerances and safety during those lifts.

Board members asked scheduling and contingency questions; Adams said the team is pursuing contingency plans that could delay limited rooms if necessary but aims for occupancy in August. He said weather remains a risk but that roof deck progress and window-frame installation in the coming weeks will reduce weather-related exposure.

Adams closed by saying he would supply additional before-and-after photos to better communicate progress to the board and the public.

What's next: staff will continue monitoring schedules, start major equipment commissioning in March if weather allows, and follow the district's contingency plan to prioritize occupancy-ready spaces by August.