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Voorhees Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) Updates
April 2024 - Press Release: Purchase Completed
June 17, 2024 - Community Forum held - Community Forum Presentation
July 9, 2024 - Early Childhood Development Center Update
August 5, 2024: We are excited to report that we received the demolition permit on July 18, 2024. Our construction vendor, Weatherby Construction & Renovation, Corp., has begun demolition and arranged for additional staff to expedite the process. On August 5, 2024, the construction vendor will begin work on the interior underground plumbing trenches.
August 14, 2024: The interior demolition of the building is progressing according to schedule. All offices on the first floor have been demolished. On August 6, 2024, demolition began in the mechanical room on the second floor. A small amount of interior demolition remains to be done. The contractor has also started laying out the metal base track to outline the doorways, classrooms, and bathrooms on the second floor. In addition, the contractor has started to cut the concrete floor for the installation of significant drainage piping for all of our new PK classrooms. We are pleased with the progress of the demolition and will continue to do everything necessary to adhere to our established timelines.
September 4, 2024: The interior demolition is nearly complete, with all walls, wiring, ductwork, and other materials removed. New metal stud framing is currently being installed. Additionally, 90% of the second floor has been completed, and significant progress is being made on the first floor. Trenching is ongoing for the installation of our new piping system.
September 20, 2024: the following progress has been made:
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The framing for both the first and second floors is nearing completion.
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The contractor has scheduled inspections for the under-slab plumbing and framing during the week of September 23, 2024.
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Ductwork installation, as well as the installation of electrical conduits and boxes, is currently in progress.
Once the inspections are completed, we will infill the pipe trenches with concrete and begin installing sheetrock on the framed walls. We are still awaiting the release of full building permits.
October 1, 2024: Inspections for wall framing and underground plumbing have been completed and passed. Currently, floor piping trenches are being prepared for concrete. Wall framing is ongoing, along with electrical work within the walls. Sheetrock installation has begun, and work continues on electrical wiring, ductwork, and piping. Additionally, site work has commenced, with the excavation of the rear access/mechanical drive.
October 18, 2024
- Interior Work
All trench concrete work is nearly complete, and metal stud framing is ongoing. Work on the overhead mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems on the first and second floors is also progressing. - Site/Exterior Work
Window retrofitting (gaskets) is underway, along with site preparation activities such as tree removal, utility preparations, and grading. The pouring of new concrete sidewalks has begun. - Permits
We are currently awaiting full permits, which we expect to receive soon. Inspections are ongoing and up to date.
November 1, 2024
- The metal stud framing work is nearly complete, and the contractor is preparing to begin the sheetrock installation.
- Work on the overhead mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems continues on the first and second floors. The playground area has been excavated and is ready for further development.
- Construction of the playground access ramp has begun, and permits have been issued for the entire project.
November 15, 2024
- Wall framing is nearly complete, and the installation of sheetrock and insulation is now underway. Classrooms are beginning to take shape. The contractor has completed the necessary inspections and is preparing to close up the walls. Work continues on the overhead mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, and the rough-in for the bathrooms is in progress.
- The playground construction is also moving forward. Equipment has been installed, and work on the fencing, borders, and surfacing will begin shortly. Roofing is progressing, and excavations for ramps, along with other concrete work, are continuing.
- All permits for the project were received on October 31, 2024. However, delays in obtaining these permits, as well as the late delivery of critical materials such as doors, frames, hardware, and casework, have resulted in a potential four-week delay to the project. We are closely monitoring the schedule and working with the contractor to identify opportunities for time savings wherever possible.
December 6, 2024
- Interior sheetrock installation is progressing, and classrooms are continuing to take shape. The contractor has completed inspections and is preparing to close up the walls. Work on the overhead mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems is ongoing, with the installation of larger mechanical plant equipment underway. The hot water heaters have been set in place.
- In addition, mechanical room equipment is being installed, window installation is in progress, and bathroom rough-ins, ramp excavation, and other concrete work continue. Playground surfacing will begin as soon as weather conditions allow.
- Permits for the entire project have been issued, and inspections are up to date. However, we are currently anticipating a potential 4-6 week delay in project completion, with an estimated finish date in mid-February. This delay is due to the late receipt of permits (received on October 31, 2024) and the delayed delivery of critical items, including doors, frames, hardware, and casework. We continue to monitor the schedule closely and are working with the contractor to identify opportunities to save time wherever possible.
December 19, 2024
Interior work
- Door frames have been installed
- Drywall finishing and painting has started on the second floor
- Bathroom wall tile has started and is well underway. Floor time base has started.
- Interior drywall work continues on first floor
- Contractor has received inspections and is preparing to close up walls.
- Work continues on overhead mechanical, electrical and plumbing work.
- Hot water heaters have been set in place.
- Mechanical room equipment installation continues.
- Bathroom rough-in continues.
Site/Exterior Work
- Playground surfacing work will take place as soon as weather permits.
- New window installation continues.
- Roofing work continues.
- Ramp excavation and other concrete work continues. Concrete to be poured within next two weeks weather permitting.
- Underground utility installation is underway.
Permits/Inspections
- Permits have been issued for the entire project and inspections are up to date.
Schedule:
Our previous completion date was estimated as mid-February. We have now been notified about a delay in the delivery of two main ventilation units. Delivery of these critical units is now slated for late January. The impact of this late delivery is still being analyzed but may result in a further delay to the completion of the project. We continue to monitor the schedule and to work with the contractor to find opportunities for time savings and to improve delivery times when possible.
January 3, 2025
As previously reported, there has been a delay in the delivery of two main ventilation units, which are now expected to arrive in late January. This delay will extend the timeline, with completion now projected between March 15th and March 31st. We are closely monitoring the schedule and working with the contractor to identify opportunities for time savings and to improve delivery times whenever possible.
Interior Work
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Drywall installation is complete on the second floor, with painting currently underway. On the first floor, drywall installation and finishing are nearing completion, and painting is scheduled to begin soon.
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Ceiling grid installation is underway on the second floor, with work on the first floor set to begin shortly.
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Bathroom tile installation on the second floor is nearly complete, with installation on the first floor scheduled to start soon.
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Vinyl flooring installation will begin on the second floor.
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Work continues on overhead mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, including installation in the ceiling grid on the second floor.
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Mechanical room equipment installation is ongoing, with boiler installation nearing completion.
Site/Exterior Work
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Playground surfacing will begin as soon as weather permits.
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New window installation continues, and security film installation is set to begin soon.
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Roofing work is ongoing.
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Concrete for the ramp, stairs, and walls has been poured.
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Underground utility installation is in progress, with the new electrical service conduit already installed. Gas service installation will follow shortly.
January 17, 2025
Our construction vendor has provided a substantial completion date of March 6, 2025. The heating units, which were previously delayed, are now scheduled to arrive by the end of January. We are pleased to report that we are hopeful students will be able to enter the VECDC on Monday, April 7, 2025. The period between March 6, 2025, and April 4, 2025, will be used for the vendor to complete punch list items and for the district to set up classrooms.
Work on the second floor continues, including classroom flooring installation, completion of bathroom tile and grout, and ceiling tile installation. On the first floor, sheetrock finishing, painting, bathroom tile work, and ceiling grid installation are ongoing. Roofing work is nearing completion, and playground surfacing will take place as soon as weather permits.
January 22, 2025
Two delayed air handlers have arrived, and installation will begin shortly. We are still awaiting the arrival of the main ventilation system, which is expected any day now. Classroom casework and millwork should begin arriving within the next few days, and installation will commence immediately. All above-ceiling inspections in the classrooms have been completed and passed.
Work continues on the first floor, including the ceiling grid, classroom flooring, and painting. The contractor is focused on completing the first-floor classrooms. Toilet fixture installation is currently underway, and all tile work has been completed. Final mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work is ongoing. We expect the storefronts to arrive, with installation starting within the next week.
February 7, 2025
Classroom flooring, ceiling tiles, and painting are nearly complete on the second floor and progressing well on the first floor. Mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire sprinkler work continues on both floors. The previously delayed ventilation units arrived earlier than expected and have now been set in place, with the installation of related systems underway.
New window installation has been completed, and security film installation will begin once temperatures rise. Roofing work is also nearing completion. Underground utility installation is ongoing, with the contractor currently working on the installation of new water service and the sanitary line.
February 21, 2025
Final finishes, including paint and ceiling tile installation, are ongoing. Casework installation (such as student cubbies) is in progress. Wood doors and hardware are expected to arrive on-site by 2/24, and exterior storefront installation is scheduled to begin the week of 2/24. The installation of new water service components is complete, and we are now waiting on the Water Company. New gas service is expected to be activated during the week of 2/24. Roofing work is nearing completion, and new roof edge metal is on-site.
The large ventilation unit we are expecting has not yet arrived and has been further delayed by the manufacturer. It is now anticipated to arrive on February 27th. We are also awaiting the Water Company to connect the new water service, which is necessary for both the fire sprinkler system and boiler operation. Our team has been in continuous contact with the Water Company to expedite this process.
Additionally, we are waiting for the electric company to disconnect our existing service so that new connections can be made and inspections completed. Unfortunately, the electric company has been delayed due to the diversion of their crews for storm damage repairs. We expect this task to be completed during the week of February 24th. In the best-case scenario, we anticipate permanent electric service to be established around March 7th.
While we continue to apply pressure to the relevant entities, these delays are beyond the control of the construction team. We will continue to monitor the situation and keep everyone informed.
March 7, 2025
The Voorhees Early Childhood Development Center is going to be amazing!
We continue to monitor issues that could potentially affect the occupancy of the building. The installation of the ventilation unit is in progress. Although the arrival of this unit was delayed, it was received at the end of February.
We are still awaiting the final activation of the water and fire line services. The new electric service has been inspected and approved, and we are awaiting a date for the utility company to energize the new service. We also expect our new gas service to be activated in the near future.
Progress has been made in completing the utilities, and we are hopeful that all utilities will be fully operational soon.
To complete the building systems and finishes, we need heat, water, and gas. We will continue to monitor the impact on the construction completion date.
March 21, 2025
The installation of ceiling tiles, whiteboards, and exhibition boards is progressing smoothly. Wood doors and hardware are on-site, and installation is pending. The storefront installation is also well underway. Work on the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire sprinkler systems continues as follows:
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The new electrical service has been activated, and permanent power is now being supplied to the building.
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The new gas service is operational.
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The new water service has been activated.
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The fire sprinkler system is nearing completion.
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Preparations are underway for the start-up of HVAC equipment, including boilers.
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Preparations are also being made for the hot water system start-up.
As of March 21, 2025, we remain on track for occupancy in early May. Over the next two weeks, we will focus on completing the work necessary to obtain the certificate of occupancy.
March 28, 2025
Weatherby Construction (WC) is targeting receipt of the Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) by 4/11/25. Clean-up and consolidation of materials will be part of this process. Temporary heaters have already been removed from the site. Furniture and curriculum materials are scheduled for delivery between 4/14/25 and 4/18/25, with furniture assembly planned for the week of Spring Break.
Our targeted occupancy date remains May 5, 2025.
April 4, 2025
As of April 4, 2025, we are on track to meet the May 5, 2025 occupancy date. Classroom interiors are nearly complete, and the start-up of mechanical equipment is underway. The boilers, fire alarm system, and sprinkler systems are all operational.April 11, 2025The fire alarm and sprinkler systems are fully operational. Air and water balancing is currently underway. Critical building systems—including security cameras, door controls, the public address system, network infrastructure, and others—are nearing completion.
The emergency generator has been installed and is fully operational. The remaining above-ceiling inspection is scheduled for April 14, 2025. Final and occupancy inspections are set to take place during the week of April 21, 2025.
The contractor has made significant progress and continues to work diligently to ensure the building will be ready for opening on May 5, 2025. As of April 11th, we remain on track to meet the scheduled occupancy date.
April 17, 2025
Concrete sidewalk and curbing work is nearing completion. Playground surfacing is also being finalized. Furniture is being moved into the building, and rooms are being cleaned and prepared for occupancy. Final inspections are currently being scheduled. We remain on track for our target date of May 5, 2025.
April 29, 2025
The project has encountered several delays due to permit inspections, weather conditions, and supply chain disruptions. With sincere regret, we must inform our community that the anticipated opening date of May 5th will need to be postponed.
While this news is undoubtedly disappointing, we want to assure you that we are nearing the final stages. A few remaining minor issues must be resolved before the building can receive final approval for occupancy.
We understand how frustrating and disruptive these delays can be for our families, and we deeply appreciate their patience, flexibility, and continued support throughout this process. Please know that our team is working diligently with all partners to address the outstanding items as quickly as possible.
To avoid any further frustration, we will not set a new date at this time. However, we remain optimistic that the delay will be short and are committed to giving our families as much advance notice as possible once the building is ready. Our goal remains to open the building this school year, and we are very much looking forward to welcoming preschool children into a warm, engaging, and beautifully designed learning space
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Introducing our Mascot - The VECDC Cub
The Cub is a symbol of joy, innocence, and growth.
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Meet the Principal
Lynette Lewis
Lynette Lewis is a visionary leader and has dedicated her life to transforming the landscape of education to serve the educational needs of all students. Through leadership experiences ranging from early childhood, elementary, middle, and high school she has had the opportunity to grow students, teachers, and staff to reach their full potential. Even with these amazing experiences, she is always a teacher at heart.
Her educational experiences have afforded her the opportunity to collaborate with diverse populations of people to meet the common goal of increasing student achievement and well-being. Her educational philosophy is based on her uncompromising belief that each day is a day to excel and that all students have the ability to learn and grow, when given a positive and safe learning environment, compassionate and knowledgeable leadership, and a committed educational team.
Lynette Lewis strives to always lead by example and has a passion for developing positive relationships with students, teachers, staff, families, and community to foster a positive school climate and culture.
