• Voorhees Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) Updates

    ECDC

    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:

    • The framing for both the first and second floors is nearing completion.

    • The contractor has scheduled inspections for the under-slab plumbing and framing during the week of September 23, 2024.

    • 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

    • 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.

    • Ceiling grid installation is underway on the second floor, with work on the first floor set to begin shortly.

    • Bathroom tile installation on the second floor is nearly complete, with installation on the first floor scheduled to start soon.

    • Vinyl flooring installation will begin on the second floor.

    • Work continues on overhead mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, including installation in the ceiling grid on the second floor.

    • Mechanical room equipment installation is ongoing, with boiler installation nearing completion.

    Site/Exterior Work

    • Playground surfacing will begin as soon as weather permits.

    • New window installation continues, and security film installation is set to begin soon.

    • Roofing work is ongoing.

    • Concrete for the ramp, stairs, and walls has been poured.

    • 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.

     

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