The new streetscape of Concord Avenue is beginning to take shape as steel is erected at both the municipal rink and the new library.
Chairpersons of the respective building committees both shared recently that the projects are on time and on budget.
“The building foundations are complete, which is always good,” said Clair Colburn, chair of the Library Building Committee. “Getting out of the ground is really kind of key. It’s a real milestone to get out of the ground.”
Steel for the new library was delivered the first week of November, and steel for the municipal rink arrived the second week of the month.
Rink
Municipal Rink Building Committee Chair Mark Haley said the rink will be constructed in three pieces: the arena, which is where the rink is located; the back end of the structure, where the locker room and back of the house will be located (refrigeration, etc.); and finally, the front section, where the lobby, public restrooms, and concessions will be located.
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“We have bid out and bought out 96% of the project, and we could probably have another $500,000 or $600,000 to bid out,” he said. “That’s things like painting, bleachers — that’s probably the biggest number of all — and we’re on budget. That’s definitely a plus.”
According to Haley, the steel columns will go up quickly.
“The week after Thanksgiving, we’re thinking of having what’s called a topping off,” he said. “Typically, it’s when the highest beam is put in place.”
So far, the most significant impact on the project was the discovery of asbestos-containing materials during the ground excavation. The cost of remediation was covered using the hazardous allowances budget. He said the project doesn’t require dipping into the contingency fund.
Haley said the hope is to make ice next Labor Day, with the official opening at the beginning of October.
Library
Colburn said the library project has been “fairly lucky” in avoiding any potential supply chain issues, and, like the rink, the project remains on schedule.
“The rink and the library are so close to each other that we’re able to schedule major deliveries, like steel,” she said. “We’re able to coordinate those efforts so it’s minimally disruptive to Concord Ave.”
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Colburn praised the work of the team in place, including the contractors (GNR Construction), the architect (Oudens Ello), and the owner’s project manager (CHA).
Like the rink, the library is also looking at a fall opening date.
“It’s a little too early to determine the exact final date,” Colburn said. “We’re looking to be substantially complete in October of next year.”
