It was a pleasure
representing the District and celebrating Colstrip at the Colstrip Legislative
Reception held Monday night at the Great Northern Convention Center in Helena.
Our District was one of thirty co-sponsors for the event. The event provided
co-sponsors a venue to discuss concerns and opportunities with legislators.
More importantly, it was an extraordinary night of honoring former Senator
Duane Ankney.
Speakers included the
former Senator, Senator Jason Small, Senator Barry Usher, Representative Gary
Parry, Representative Paul Green, Mayor John Williams as well as Governor Greg
Gianforte. Their greetings echoed the part that Colstip plays in energy and
service to the State of Montana and the greater United States. The reception
boasted about the Colstrip community and the hard working and dedicated people
that live here.
If hearing about the
great things that Colstrip has to offer wasn’t enough, NorthWestern Energy
announced that Avista would be transferring its interest in Units 3 and 4 at no
cost to NorthWestern Energy by the end of 2025. The deal would give
NorthWestern authority to use up to 444 megawatts of power from Units 3 and 4,
double its current share. NorthWestern believed that the deal provides
certainty for the community of Colstrip and Montana. That message resulted in
one of a number of standing ovations. For more information go to:
https://www.ktvh.com/news/northwestern-energy-to-increase-stake-in-colstrip-power-plant?_amp=true
The final standing
ovation was given to former Senator, Duane Ankney for his dedication and
service at the legislative level since 1987. It was a great night for Duane and
a great night for Colstrip. It was an evening that would not have taken place
without the organizational efforts of Jim Atchison and the South Eastern
Montana Development Corporation. Thank you one and all for the opportunity to
celebrate our community!
It is with a great deal of anticipation, that
the District announces that the high school gymnasium's floor replacement is
complete. The final finish is curing, as per manufacturer's recommendation, and
the gym will be open for use beginning January 22, 2023. All formerly scheduled
activities for the high school gymnasium will resume starting the week of
January 22, 2023.
The District would like to thank the community
for their patience and understanding as everyone has made sacrifices as we
worked through this unforeseen emergency.
FACTS OF THE MATTER
In the early hours of July 5, 2022 a hail storm
struck Colstrip causing considerable damage across our community. Some places
were worse than others. On the outside, the District buildings seemed to
weather the storm without damage; however, the inside of the gymnasium had
water. Pools of water were discovered in the gym by both emergency exit doors
by the custodial staff as they came back from the holiday break. Once the water
entered the building and pooled up, it began to travel back toward the door and
run beneath the door jam down to the base of the current floor and down to the
sub-floor. Noticeable cupping could be seen and felt on the surface of
the top floor approximately 30 feet in diameter of each of the two north doors.
The water was the result of the overflow
drains (located approximately 20 feet above the doors) spilling excess water
out over the doorway with a north wind crushing it into the building. The
regular storm drains were overloaded with hail and water. The overflow drains
protect the roof from weight overload and allow water to escape in the case of
extreme storms. The problem being, that the drains are located above the
emergency exits in addition the emergency door sweeps were not water tight.
The standing water was immediately removed. The
water that went under the floor was also mitigated as quickly as
possible. Testing for mold would have to be done. It would take two weeks
for cultures to develop and be analyzed. Unfortunately, after that time period,
the cultures indicated mold growth. Approximately 30 feet of gymnasium floor
would have to be removed to get rid of the mold.
At that time, an emergency board meeting was
called. The Colstrip School Board of Trustees declared the damage caused to
school facilities by the July 5, 2022 rain, thunder and hail storm as an
unforeseen emergency as defined in 20-3-322(5). The school facilities damaged
by the storm were scheduled for use at the beginning of the 2022-2023 school
year, beginning on the first day of school on August 24, 2022.
The school insurance carrier agreed that the
damage would be covered by insurance and the school should take additional
action. As Superintendent, I contacted Tyler Bush, Design Build Engineer from
McKinstry. McKinstry was hired by the District to provide Design/Build
Contracting Services (project manager). Mold remediation took place immediately
and the damaged floor was removed.
Contracts were developed to replace the floor.
Due to the cost of replacement the insurance carrier had to gain permissions
from their re-insurer before the contracts could be executed.
The re-insurer had to re-examine all details.
Time was of the essence; however, total agreement took time. After two weeks,
the contract to begin work was approved. Schedules had to be pushed back, but
the floor construction and demolition were underway. The board and public
were provided updates from McKinstry and myself at the monthly board meetings.
In addition to the replacement of the floor,
Colstrip athletic teams had to deal with a different practice and game
facility. New schedules were developed. Our entire community made sacrifices to
do the very best to make good out of a difficult situation. It was remarkable
seeing everyone pull together to make things work. Signage was established at
Frank Brattin Middle School. New wall mats were installed and lighting updated.
Everything from concessions to entry had to be considered in order to host varsity
contests.
Meanwhile, the old floor was removed. Upon
removal, the new floor materials came in as scheduled. The new sub-floor was
installed, emergency doors were replaced with a water tight solution, bleachers
were pulled out and the new floor was put in place. As contractors
worked, it was the goal to get the gymnasium ready for District Basketball
Tournaments and possibly senior night for the winter sport teams.
Special thanks to the Board of Trustees and the
Administration at all levels for making needed adjustments and new schedules.
Thanks to the Athletic Director and coaches for their support and adjustments
to carry out their practices, games and season. Thank you goes out to the
students and the industrial arts classes for their help in the removal of the
old gymnasium floor as they will be using the maple product to build
projects. The list of thanks goes out to so many that are unmentioned. It is because of your
efforts and contributions to make things better that our community will be able
to enjoy the High School Gymnasium in time for our winter culminating events.
Way to MAKE DUST Colstrip!
