By KATIE SAXON

Wadsworth Post editor

The city of Wadsworth and Wadsworth City Schools are working with the community center and high school complex contractors to develop an accelerated construction schedule in order to recoup lost days due to bad weather.

During the Aug. 10 Wadsworth Public Ways Committee meeting, Harry Stark, assistant director of public service, discussed the status of the community center and high school complex, including plans to speed up construction.

"We had a partnering meeting a couple of weeks ago to talk about a recovery schedule, because of the lost days due to weather, to get an acceleration schedule put together to try to ensure that the building is under roof by the end of this year. So we are moving forward with that at this point. We've asked the contractors to give us a formal estimate of what it will cost us to do that," Stark said.

City and school officials are expecting the accelerated schedule to come with a higher price tag, as additional construction crews will be needed and hours will be extended, including the possibility of additional Saturday workdays.

Without the accelerated construction schedule, though, the city and schools would most likely not meet the opening timeline.

"If we don't get the buildings under roof by the end of this year, I don't see us meeting an opening schedule next year when we want. I think it's important that we proceed with an acceleration to get the building under roof. Last year we got hit by that early winter, an early snowfall, and even though they were ahead of schedule at that point, they still weren't able to get everything done that they wanted to get done prior to winter, so that put them behind and then it never got warm. It was really cold with a lot of snow, and the delay just built upon that. They're moving along great right now, knock on wood, but it's important to move forward with this acceleration," Stark said.

Officials are expecting to receive a formal estimate of what the accelerated schedule will cost by the end of this month.

In addition, Stark said that construction crews are currently working on installing the undergrounds for the community center and pouring the indoor pool. The city and the YMCA are also planning a kickoff meeting to begin the planning process for the outdoor pool Aug. 26. Finally, the community partners are also preparing for the furniture, fixtures and equipment bid package, as well as external and internal signage.