Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Current Projects

Added Security to Westside High School Student Entrance

Westside High School students will notice some changes at the school when they return in the Fall.

Prairie Construction is taking advantage of the slower summer months to continue with some essential upgrades to Westside High School.

Last summer, we added glass wall partitions to the existing concrete walls in the main entry and commons area of the school. A glass entryway was installed to separate the commons area from a hallway. The glass dividers provide added security while maintaining the open feel of the original design.

This summer, we are adding additional security to the building with the construction of a glass-enclosed vestibule. The new reception space will be right inside the main entrance to the school, and a single exterior door will be added for exclusive entry to the building after 8 a.m. when school is in session.

Safety and security are top priorities for schools, and Prairie Construction has extensive experience in this area. Security features are a key component to the design of numerous schools we have built over the last several years, and we have added upgraded security features to several existing schools.

The steel structures have been installed at Westside High School, and we anticipate the completion of this project in the next few weeks. Stop back for an update if you can’t wait until the start of the 2020/21 school year to see the finished project!

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Company News

Steve Vencil Celebrates 30 Years!

Prairie Construction recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of one of our first employees – Steve Vencil.

Steve joined the Prairie team as Paul and Frank were just building Prairie Construction. Steve brought his extensive experience as a construction and iron worker, and even a four-year stint as a stockbroker, to the Prairie team. Steve’s expertise in ironworking made him a crucial member of our early team, and he has played a vital role in numerous projects over the years.

Steve is now a trusted project superintendent for a variety of projects. He has managed jobs all over town, and has been a key player on many of the school projects we have completed. The addition of the third base grandstand at Rosenblatt Stadium is one of Steve’s favorite projects. Despite battling significant rain that threatened completion by the deadline – the start of the College World Series. Under Steve’s leadership – we completed the project before deadline!

These days you’ll find Steve at Mahoney State Park. He’s been there since last Fall when we broke ground on the Event Facility Project. Steve finds the quiet peace and rolling acres of the park a nice change of pace from other projects he’s been involved with.

“You don’t find guys like Steve everyday,” said Steve Rease. “He does a great job managing projects onsite, and our crews and subcontractors love working with him, and you always know where you stand with him.”

His experience is invaluable, but it’s his dedication to the team, commitment to quality work and personality that make him irreplaceable.  You always know where you stand with Steve.

“I love working at Prairie Construction, this is a just a great group of hard-working guys,” said Steve. “You don’t see younger guys going into construction like they used too, and that’s too bad because this is a great career!”

Thank you, Steve for 30 years of dedicated service to Prairie Construction!