Colfax-Mingo Elementary installs safe and secure entrances

Colfax-Mingo Elementary has successfully modernized its security and completed much-needed renovations after a number of delays.

Concerns for student safety and increasingly outdated facilities prompted the Colfax-Mingo School District to move forward with a number of renovation projects, including the installation of new entrances, remodeled bathrooms and an expanded the nurse’s office.

The work began in the fall with the whole area around the elementary building’s entrance being completely remodeled while also updating the front office, principal’s office, staff workroom and the nurse’s office.

“Our primary goal was installing the safe and secure entrance, same as the one we have at the high school,” district superintendent Erik Anderson said. “Staff can just swipe through but anyone else will have to go through the office in order to enter the building.”

Renovations to the building’s exterior were also completed during the new entrance installation to better communicate to visitors where the entrance was located. Several tigerhawks and a large outdoor entryway sign now clearly denote where people are expected to enter the building, Anderson said.

“The safe and secure entrances were really the thing that drove this update, as well as the bathrooms being very outdated,” he said.

Multiple cosmetic updates to the bathrooms were also desperately needed.

“They were not modern at all,” Anderson said.

All the projects were finally completed during winter break. The final project walkthrough with the school, its contractor and architect was completed Jan. 26 to ensure there were no issues that needed to be addressed.

While the elementary has wrapped up most of its major projects, other smaller projects are still scheduled to help update various classrooms.

“We’ve done some work on the kindergarten rooms already, but for the other grades we’ll have to do the work when we can,” Anderson said.

STADIUM & GYM UPDATE

The district’s other major proect – the high school’s new stadium and gym – has been delayed by some recent weather and drainage issues, specifically to the new track and field.

“This extreme cold is really not helping the stadium’s construction crews stay on track,” Anderson said.

Due to the delays, Anderson added the stadium will not be used by the school during this year’s track season because of pavement and track laying issues. The ground underneath the asphalt, he said, was very soggy this fall so laying it wasn’t an option.

Anderson did not give an estimated completion date for the stadium, but he did confirm the school’s gymnasium is still on track to open Oct. 1.

Contact Abby Knipfel at 641-792-4687 ext. 6531 or aknipfel@shawmedia.com