Except for a few minor items to be completed, the Peterson Elementary School addition is ready, weeks ahead of schedule.

Edgerton Elementary’s addition remains on schedule and both building projects are on budget.

Construction on a third project — a new central kitchen located near Kalispell Middle School — is expected to begin within a few weeks.

The elementary additions are intended to deal with overcrowding in kindergarten through second grade. A new central kitchen will replace an aging facility located at Flathead High School. Voters approved a $3.35 million elementary district bond request to fund the projects.

Hammerquist Casalegno, the general contractor for the Peterson Elementary addition, substantially completed the addition by Aug. 1, about two weeks ahead of the Aug. 15 deadline. The addition is includes four classrooms, three restrooms, a serving kitchen and multipurpose room.

“There’s still a little bit left for them to do, a few small items,” said Tom Heinecke of the Morrison-Maierle engineering firm.

Putting up signs and resetting wall clocks are among the last-minute details.

Teachers have already started moving into Peterson in preparation for the first day of school Aug. 28, Principal Rick Anfenson said.

“Most of the furniture was moved back in Monday,” Anfenson said. “The inside work is pretty much finished. There’s some outside work to do like landscaping and paving.”

Swank Enterprises, the general contractor for the Edgerton addition, is expected to meet the Aug. 15 deadline, which will be followed up by a final inspection by the school district while the contractor prepares a list of items that need completion or correction.

In the meantime, flooring is slated for installation at Edgerton next week.

Edgerton’s addition includes four classrooms and four restrooms.

Kalispell Public Schools Superintendent Darlene Schottle signed an agreement with central kitchen contractor Meredith Construction on Tuesday. Heinecke anticipates breaking ground on the central kitchen construction within the next few weeks.

Tuesday was also a significant day for value engineering savings for the school district. Heinecke said several change orders resulted in about $15,300 in savings.

Some of the value engineering changes include switching a manufacturer of coiling doors and reducing the amount of brick for the facade, substituting it with reinforced concrete panels.

“None of these changes affect the performance of the building or equipment,” Heinecke said. “They just made good sense.”

A total of $20,065 has been put in a reserve fund, Heinecke, said for any unforeseen expenses or change orders made during construction of the central kitchen.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at [email protected].