Commencement at new JHS gym still up in the air

Just 30 square feet separates the contractors on the new Jasper High School Gymnasium from completing the roof.

High winds prior to the holidays and then snow made it unsafe for workers to complete the 30 square feet section on the southwest portion on time, according to Clerk of the Works Scott Stenftenagel.

Stenftenagel says it would take crews a single morning to finish sheathing the section and he estimates it would take another week and a half to apply the rubber roof membrane if weather cooperates.

“We have all the materials up on the roof now,” Stenftenagel said. “They are hoping to finish the section tomorrow (Friday) and then start applying the rubber roof membrane.”

The roof was scheduled to be finished prior to the Christmas break but crews have compensated by working inside the sections of the gymnasium that are weatherized and continuing work on the exterior walls

“The framing of the exterior walls is continuing and we are ahead of schedule there,” Stenftenagel said. “We’re still making progress with all the masonry walls and we are about to start the painting process tomorrow or definitely next week.”

Stenftenagel says the roof is the only portion of the project that is currently off schedule and still aims for the gym to be available for the commencement ceremony.

Assistant Superintendent Bob Hacker says whether the school will hold commencement there or not is the “million dollar question.”

“At this point we are not ready to make a decision on that,” Hacker said. “We have told the contractors we need to make a decision by the end of February. So we’ll see where we are at that point as to how realistic it will be to hold commencement there or look elsewhere.”

Besides the school corporation and seniors, Stenftenagel is motivated by his daughter Megan, a graduating senior, each morning, “Every morning she tells me ‘Tick, tock dad. Tick, tock.’.”