Construction to start at fairgrounds

Building to house 2 ice rinks,

completion date set March 2003

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Work on the largest of the three sales tax referendum projects, the Fairgrounds Community Center that will house two ice rinks, will begin this week.

Heymann Construction Co., the main contractor on the projects, is asking City Council approval for sub-contractor M.R. Paving & Excavating to operate earthmoving equipment 24 fours a day, starting at 7 a.m. Tuesday and continuing through 10 p.m. Thursday.

In requesting permission to work around the clock, M.R. Paving & Excavating's project manager, Glen Mathiowetz, said it was necessary because "the soils in the building imprint are susceptible to freezing conditions (and) the type of heavy diesel equipment needed for the soil correction phase of this project is not able to be shut down over night in these extreme temperatures without irreparable engine and/or hydraulic system damage from cold starting."

"We will need to remove only from 1 foot to 3 feet of topsoil to meet grade specifications," John Heymann Jr. of Heymann Construction said. The deepest amount of topsoil removed will be in the area of the holding pond.

With November and December being so mild and January started out on a chilly note, Heymann was concerned about getting started as soon as possible.

"Every day of cooler weather puts more frost into the ground," he said. "I wasn't concerned that we'd be unable to start, however, because the projected start was extremely similar to the MTS Systems building project when there was a lot more frost in the ground."

Another factor that helps the contractor get an early start is that "we'll just be digging trenches for footings."

Heymann said he's still projecting a March 1, 2003, finish date for the Fairgrounds project even though his firm and sub-contractors were able to get an earlier than anticipated start.

"I was pleased that fabricating the precast wall panels can start in May which is earlier than expected, but it will all depend upon how materials arrive."

Heymann Construction has the same target completion date for the Senior Center performing arts/dining room addition, and the renovation of Vogel Arena is expected to be completed 90 days thereafter.

Heymann was the low bidder for the construction phase with a combined bid including base and add alternates of $9.7 million. The overall project cost is budgeted at $11.7 million.