Tri-County News

Groundbreaking officially launches EV-W school projects


By Jean Doran Matua, Editor
It was rescheduled twice because of rain, but the official groundbreaking finally took place Thursday afternoon, May 23, in front of the Elementary School in Eden Valley.

Although work has already begun, ground was officially broken for Phase 1 of the EV-W schools construction project at Eden Valley Elementary School Thursday afternoon, May 23. Pictured are Elementary Principal Rob Pederson, Superintendent Mark Messman, elementary student council president and sixth-grader Marissa Laudenbach, high school student council representative and junior Adrienne Lipinski, RA Construction President Preston Euerle, and school board chair Rob Flaschenriem. Staff photo by Jean Doran Matua.

The total project was approved by voters in November 2018 for $8 million, and the project includes work at all three buildings in the district. Safe entrances at the elementary schools are a high priority, and that work will go on over the summer. Upgrading the 1929 high school building will be done in next year’s phase of the project.
At the Eden Valley Elementary, in addition to the new secure entrance and safer drop-off zones for buses and parents, there will be a new hard-surface playground behind the current playground area, and green play space on the other side of the parking lot.
During this last week of school, parent and school bus drop-offs in the construction zone are coordinated through site supervisor Mike Schreifels.
It should be noted that the purchase of Judy Martinson’s house earlier this year helps this project, but was not part of the bonding process. When the house became available, District general funds were used to purchase the property. The home itself has been removed, along with all of the trees; only the garage remains, which will be moved shortly. (See related photo on page 12.)
With the space opened up, the District’s safety project at Eden Valley Elementary School can make use of the additional space for both improving traffic flow, and adding green space for students to play in. The property itself was not included in the
voter-approved $8 million levy.
School officials are excited to finally have the project under way. RA Construction president Preston Euerle is excited to get the project going as well. He is also very pleased to be working with local contractors on the project.
Two student representatives who participated in the ground-breaking Thursday are pleased to see the upgrades, although sixth-grader Marissa Laudenbach will be at the high school next year, and junior Adrienne Lipinski will graduate as work begins on the 1929 building.
Please use caution around any construction areas.

The entrance to Eden Valley Elementary School looks different these days. Not only is there a big construction sign (and the construction equipment that came with it), but the house that belonged to Judy Martinson has been removed, opening up a lot of potential green space between Stearns Avenue East and the school building. Staff photo by Jean Doran Matua.

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