Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Current Projects

Prairie Construction Partners with the Westside Foundation

Prairie Construction proudly partnered with the Westside Foundation to expand their childcare services.

The Foundation supports early childhood education for the Westside School District through preschool programs and before and after school care.

The most recent child care center for the district was opened in the former Countryside Church, which was purchased by Corum Deo. The Foundation formed a partnership with Corum Deo to designate the lower level of the church for a child care center.

Converting the former Church basement into a space suitable and up to code for a child care center required a complete redesign of the space. The design included the renovation of four classrooms, two preschool rooms and bathrooms designed for preschool-age children. The floors needed to be raised in the new bathrooms to meet code for educational purposes and the entire space was refreshed and remodeled.

The Westside Foundation uses private funds to support continued improvements of educational programs offered by Westside Community Schools. Prairie Construction is proud to partner again with the Westside Foundation, and look forward to additional projects in the future!

 

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Current Projects

New Westside District Child Care Center

Prairie Construction proudly partnered with the Westside Foundation to expand their childcare services.

The Foundation supports early childhood education for the Westside School District through preschool programs and before and after school care.

The most recent child care center for the district was opened in the former Countryside Church, which was purchased by Corum Deo. The Foundation formed a partnership with Corum Deo to designate the lower level of the church for a child care center.

Converting the former Church basement into a space suitable and up to code for a child care center required a complete redesign of the space. The design included the addition of four classrooms, two preschool rooms and bathrooms designed for preschool-age children. The floors needed to be raised to meet code for educational purposes and the entire space was refreshed and remodeled.

The Westside Foundation uses private funds to support continued improvements of educational programs offered by Westside Community Schools. Prairie Construction is proud to partner again with the Westside Foundation, and look forward to additional projects in the future!

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 Current Projects

New Facility at Mahoney State Park

The state parks in Nebraska have been closed for several weeks due to the coronavirus outbreak, but that doesn’t mean there hasn’t been activity at Mahoney State Park.

Prairie Construction broke ground on a new group rental facility project at the park last October, and a transformation of the space has been taking shape ever since.

The project began with the demolition of the existing Riverview Lodge facility to make way for a larger, more modern rental facility that can accommodate up to 300 people. The new space will include a bridal room and will be ideal for weddings and family reunions.

Before construction of the new facility could begin, the ground elevation in the area needed to be completely transfigured. In some spaces, dirt was moved as much as 17 feet higher or lower to prepare for the new, larger facility and parking lot.

Footings are in and concrete has been poured for the approximately 15,000 square foot facility. The new building will wrap around two existing oak trees, and the park’s iconic observation tower will stand next to it, continuing to tower over the highest spot of the park. Spectacular views from the building of the Platte River will make this a popular spot for weddings, reunions and large group functions.

The first wedding in the facility is scheduled for January and we are excited to get walls up and a roof on the new space. Check back for updates and progress on this project!

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Current Projects

Update on Office Renovation at Prairie Construction

Things are looking a little different around the Prairie Construction office these days.

Demolition on our office renovation project is underway. In celebration of our upcoming 30th Anniversary, we are treating ourselves as the client and giving our office a much-needed update and renovation.

The project will include a complete update and renovation of our existing office space, an inviting entryway and redesigned meetings paces.

Demolition is complete and our teams are hard at work on the space that reflect our style and commitment to excellent craftsmanship, construction and design.

We look forward to showing you progress – and the finished project. In the meantime, we need to get back to work!

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Current Projects

New Papillion/LaVista Schools Project

Prairie Construction is thrilled to be chosen for the Papillion /LaVista high school addition and renovation project! We are excited to continue our partnership with Papillion/LaVista Schools.

The $21.7 million multi-phase project includes the renovation of the existing high school which will begin this month, and continue through August of 2022. The 69,360 square-foot addition will provide additional offices, classrooms, and lab space.

At Prairie Construction, we enjoy building schools. We understand the elements of design, security and efficiency required. You can read more about some of our recent school projects HERE.

As work on the Papillion/LaVista school project progresses, we will be sure to share updates with you!

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Current Projects

Insulated Concrete Forms on Display at New Papillion Elementary School

We broke ground on Asbury Hills Elementary School, the newest Papillion school district elementary school, at the end of the summer.

Asbury Hills Elementary will have a very similar floor plan to Prairie Queen Elementary School, which Prairie Construction also built for the Papillion school district. One big difference in the construction of the two schools however, is the addition of insulated concrete forms (ICF) that will be used to form the exterior walls of Asbury Hills Elementary.

Prairie Construction has been working closely with the Nebraska Concrete Aggregates Association to incorporate ICF into the construction of the school. While this trend is not brand new, few schools or buildings in Nebraska have adopted this construction practice.

On Nov. 1 the Nebraska Concrete and Aggregates Association and Iowa Ready Mixed Concrete Association will host an Open House and tour of the new school to showcase the insulated concrete forms. Architects, designers, contractors and school officials will have the opportunity to see the process up close, and learn about the energy efficient benefits of ICF.

The event will be held from 10 am to 2 pm on Friday, Nov. 1 at the site of the new school near Werner Park in Papillion. The event is free and lunch is included. The deadline to register is Friday, Oct. 25 and can be completed HERE.

The event will include a presentation at Werner Park, 12356 Ballpark Way in Papillion by Greg Lewis, NRMCA and Randy Daniels, Fox Blocks. A bus tour of the school site will follow lunch.

Insulated concrete forms are safer and more efficient energy than traditional framing, and the inclusion of ICF reduces construction time. Their sustainability and strength contribute to reduced annual utility costs which can save school districts millions of dollars throughout the life of the structure.

Prairie Construction is proud to be part of this ground-breaking project and we look forward to seeing you there!

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Current Projects

Elkhorn Stadium Project Completed

During the summer we shared news that we broke ground on a stadium project at Elkhorn High School.

The first football game was Friday, Aug. 30 so the deadline to complete the project was firm. We are happy to say the project was completed before the deadline, and the results have been well-received by Elkhorn fans as well as fans the opposing teams.

The project included a 4,400 square foot athletic team building includes training rooms, locker rooms, concessions and restrooms.  In addition, new bleachers were added to the east side of the Stadium which added 3,000 seats.

Prairie Construction was happy to help Elkhorn Public Schools show their team pride and we wish them luck this season!

 

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Current Projects

Is That a Troll Under the Bridge?

No, you aren’t seeing things – there is a giant blue troll under the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge in downtown Omaha.

Local artist John Labja was commissioned by Visit Omaha, the Omaha Convention & Visitor’s Bureau to create the troll to inspire people to visit Omaha. His name is OMAR – short for Omaha Metro Area River troll. He is blue with orange hair and measures 4 feet tall.

Moving the 300-pound clay and bronze statue is no small feat, and that is where Prairie Construction got involved.

Prairie Construction was tasked with installing the troll to his “cottage” under the bridge. Omaha residents are encouraged to visit Omar and take your picture with him. You can learn more about Omar HERE.

Installing a 300-pound blue troll under a bridge isn’t a typical day at the office for us – but it was a fun project to be involved with!

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Current Projects

Ashbury Hills Elementary School Project

Prairie Construction was pleased to break ground on Ashbury Hills Elementary School in Papillion.

The 55,000 square foot school is located at 120th & Schram Rd. near Werner Park. The School will welcome students next Fall for the 2020/21 school year.

The elementary school will have a very similar floor plan as Prairie Queen Elementary, another Papillion Elementary school that Prairie Construction built.

While they may look the same, the construction of the two schools will differ in some ways. The outside walls of Ashbury Hills will be built with insulated concrete forms (ICF) for maximum energy efficiency. This is a new trend in school construction, and one that Prairie Construction is excited to implement in the Ashbury Hills project.

Building schools has become a passion of ours. Click HERE to see other school projects we have completed. We are looking forward to completing the Ashbury Hills project over the next year!