Construction at Guard's education center on track

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith
  • I.G. Brown Training and Education Center
Construction projects for the dormitory and classroom facility here at the I.G. Brown Training and Education Center are moving along on schedule, said a base official this week.

"The rough winter has slightly delayed construction, but all indications are that we will be back on track now that spring has arrived," said Maj. Jon Barrett, deputy base civil engineer in an email.

Barrett praised the contractor's efforts and commitment to providing a quality product.

Howard W. Pence Construction excavated more than 10,000 cubic yards of soil since last summer to prepare the building site. Footings for the classroom section are complete and steel work began this month, with 83 tons of steel now erected. Metal decking is also underway. 

Barrett said that the footings for the Dormitory-B building are complete. Cement is pouring into the Dormitory-A footings this week. More than 600 cubic yards of concrete is in place. 

The completed facility will offer 47,000 square feet of space. That includes ten, 20-person and two 100-person classrooms and 97 single occupancy dorm rooms.

As a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design project, it will offer one the Air National Guard's most sustainable, livable and energy-efficient facilities. The learning and living spaces include the use of natural and automatic lighting and other cost effective, energy conservation features.

The facility should open in 2016.

Meanwhile, officials approved a $28K construction change to correct several unforeseen conditions as well as provide some user requested changes, said Barrett. The largest of which includes replacing hardscape surrounding the state and territory flag display that's located along the base's main road.