Construction update: REACH and ECC facilities progressing; target completion for REACH in November

The Wentzville R‑IV Board received a construction update Feb. 20 on the REACH facility and the Early Childhood Center (ECC). Contractors reported progress on classroom wings, mechanical systems and storm-shelter construction.

The district’s construction representative said the two classroom wings are enclosed and that interior work including metal stud framing, piping, ductwork and electrical is underway; those wings were described as roughly two to three months ahead of schedule because interior work can proceed despite winter weather. The project includes four storm-shelter areas built to ICC-500 standards for high-wind protection.

Budget and schedule: The speaker reported the overall project was approximately 84% complete at the time of the update and that the REACH facility remained on schedule for a November completion; alternates that include additional ECC classrooms were tentatively expected by late winter or early the following year. The presenter noted some expected change orders for hardware and access-control coordination, but said the project team was managing change-order risk.

Naming discussion: The board reviewed public suggestions for naming the early-childhood facility. Members discussed policy that would apply if the board names the building for an individual; the policy requires documentation and a nomination process. No decision was made at the Feb. 20 meeting.

Next steps: Administration will schedule a site tour once weather warms and provide continued budget and schedule updates to the board.