Creighton’s Skutt Student Center Ribbon Cutting

After months of construction at the V.J. and Angela Skutt Student Center on the campus of Creighton University, Prairie Construction was proud to participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marketing the official end of the project.

The Skutt Student Center is one of the more popular buildings on campus, so our team needed careful planning and coordination with the University to complete this project in the least intrusive way. We shared an update about this project last Fall shortly after construction began.

Renovations included bathrooms, ballroom, and ground level. Space was reconfigured for new dining vendors, and new seating options were included to make the space more welcoming.

 

The Prairie Construction team was happy to partner with Creighton University on another project. We hope the students enjoy the update space as much as we enjoyed being on campus!

Creighton Skutt Student Center Renovation

Crieghton University students will soon see significant changes to the Skutt Student Center. Prairie Construction is busy completing a full renovation of the space.

Located at 2600 California Street, the project includes a complete upgrade of the existing student dining hall and commercial kitchens in the Skutt Student Center. New air handling units are being installed, and an expansion of adjacent restrooms to provide ADA access and increased size are also part of the project.

The project began during the summer and will continue through the first semester, with a goal of reopening for the second semester. Prairie Construction has coordinated with Creighton to keep nearby Starbucks and Mutual of Omaha ballroom open throughout the construction of the nearby space.

Prairie is partnering with architects from Leo A Daly on the 22,000 square foot project. We are excited to complete another successful project on the Creighton University campus.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Prairie Construction team would like to wish each of you a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on all that we are thankful for, and we feel grateful for all that we have to be thankful for.

Thank you to each of our clients. We are grateful for the trust you have in the Prairie Construction team. Thank you for your business, and your referrals. We look forward to serving and working with you in the future!

We are grateful for the many vendors, partners and subcontractors that we have been fortunate to partner with this year. Thank you for your collaboration, and shared dedication to meeting the client’s needs and deadlines, and to providing quality service on every job.

Finally, we are grateful for every member of the Prairie Construction team. We appreciate your loyalty and dedication, and we are grateful that you share your talents and expertise on every project.

Thank you to each of you who have worked with us, trusted us, and helped us throughout the year. We wish each of you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Westside Golf Project in the News!

It’s not every day your work is featured in a national publication, and we have to admit – it is pretty cool when it happens!

The Swede Center is an indoor golf practice facility located in Westside High School which was recently featured in Golfweek, part of USA Today.  Add to that, it was a really fun project for the Prairie Construction team!

The simulator sits in what was formerly an unusable space behind the gym. It includes putting, chipping and hitting bays, as well as a locker area and players’ lounge. It is used by District 66 students of all ages.

No other high school in the state – and possibly the country – can boast having a nicer, more state-of-the-art indoor golf practice facility like The Swede Canter. And it appears to be paying off as Westside is producing state champion golfers!

The facility was just one of several recent projects that Prairie Construction has collaborated on with Westside Schools, and we look forward to many more!

 

Skyrocketing Lumber Costs are Starting to Ease

We have good news for those of you planning a construction project……the cost of lumber is starting to fall!

Since the pandemic began, we’ve heard a lot about high demand and low supply for everything from toilet paper and Clorox wipes to groceries and vehicles. We saw a huge increase in the demand for things like lumber, and an even bigger increase in the costs for lumber and building supplies.

According to the Labor Department’s producer price index, lumber prices more than doubled from May 2020 to May 2021. The National Association of Home Builders says the price tripled in just 12 months.

Americans spent more time at home over the last year, contributing to an increase in home improvement and new construction projects. Adding to that, restrictions due to COVID-19 slowed production at sawmills. This increased demand and reduced supply resulted in skyrocketing prices for lumber.

We are finally starting to see an easing of high lumber prices. Americans are going back to work and things are slowly returning to “normal”. While we may not see a return to pre-pandemic pricing for some time, we are seeing improvements in lumber and building supplies pricing.

If you put off your construction project because of the increased pricing, now might be a good time to put the plans back on the books. The team at Prairie Construction is ready to help!

Take Time to Appreciate

The Prairie Construction team is looking ahead to a busy spring and summer, we paused recently to share our appreciation for our customers, vendors, partners, subcontractors, and most importantly, our team! Our annual Fish Fry Friday brought everyone together for great food and good conversation.

We are proud that throughout the fall and winter, the Prairie Construction team stayed busy and completed projects on deadline. Our team is skilled and dedicated to bringing excellent, quality craftsmanship to every project.

We are geared up for the busy spring and summer season  – warmer temperatures and longer days are the perfect recipe for productivity.

We didn’t want to miss the opportunity to recognize and thank our amazing team and partners for their dedication to Prairie Construction!

Impact of an Office Renovation

After repeated snowfalls, and frigid cold, sunshine and above-freezing temperatures always feel refreshing and reenergizing.

The Prairie Construction team has felt that way walking into our office every day since we completed our office renovation in early summer, 2020. We look forward to the day when we can invite you to see it for yourself, but in the meantime, we want to share the impact the newly updated space has had on our team.

After 30 years of helping countless clients with their own renovation projects, it was time for us to do the same for ourselves. We like to think of our office remodel project as a rebrand from within. Our team did a complete remodel of our office space, and with the help of several local partners, we completed a renovation that brings us a renewed enthusiasm, and a great deal of pride. This was something that was key for us as we did not have the same feelings of pride attached to our old offices. Whilst the renovation was being completed, some of our employees worked from home and due to most of them having a good work from home internet speed this was not an issue for our company. However, it is nice to have everyone back in the office.

The new space showcases our ability to create functional spaces that are not only efficient and attractive but also gives the strong first impression that any company wants to portray. If an office space has been closed for months now, it might be possible that there are mold formations in certain places. This might require the intervention of Mold Remediation Experts who can help you restore the property back to its former glory. Following this, all renovation procedures can be continued. It might be important to keep in mind that office spaces should always be welcoming and positive to maintain a healthy and friendly environment for employees, as well as visitors. In order to achieve this, choosing every office component, including equipment, supplies, and furniture carefully (visit https://www.officemonster.co.uk/ to select furnishings for your office) might be essential. The right choice of these elements and items, if made carefully, can elevate the aesthetics of a workspace. Additionally, it is important for the old and unused furniture to be gotten rid of – especially in a way that does not in any way harm the environment. To this end, roll off dumpster rentals could be utilized by construction companies to get rid of material waste.

Coming back, our team members feel a sense of pride and renewed enthusiasm when they walk into the bright, updated, and professional space.

The project gave us an opportunity to showcase our creativity and innovative ideas. We collaborated with local artist Jan Milam from Art on Location, to create unique, custom prints featuring some of our recent construction projects that hang in our conference room. We love the strong statement they make to our guests, clients and team members.

Our only regret is that we didn’t do this project earlier! Have you considered an office renovation or upgrade? Give the Prairie Construction team a call – we are ready to help!

Looking Ahead to 2021!

As we look back on 2020, I think everyone can agree the year didn’t necessarily go the way we planned it!

No one could have predicted a pandemic that would close businesses and put many aspects of our lives on hold the way they were in 2020.

But it’s a new year, and as we look ahead we can revisit plans that were put on hold in the last year. If your plans to remodel, or build a new home or office, stalled in 2020, the Prairie Construction team may be able to help with your plans.

If you are ready to move ahead with your construction needs, the Prairie Construction has some tips to keep in mind to ensure your 2021 project, big or small, is successful:

  • Don’t be afraid to ask a contractor for referrals. Or ask your friends and family for a recommendation.
  • Check with the Better Business Bureau to make sure the company has a solid reputation.
  • Choose a company that has experience with projects similar to yours.
  • Work with a company that has a good understanding of architectural design.
  • Choose a contractor or construction company that will manage your project from start to finish so you don’t need to find subcontractors.

More than anything, trust your instincts. Choosing the right company for your project will make the process successful and enjoyable. Contact the Prairie Construction team to discuss your projects for 2021!

Christmas Tree Safety Tips

‘Tis the season for holiday decorating and trimming the tree. The Holidays are here! If you like fresh cut Christmas trees listen up…..

Keep your tree watered A fresh cut tree will suck up more and more water the longer it remains in your home. For it’s first drink mix one cup sugar and one quart warm water then be sure to water regularly. The sugar mix is similar to sap to fool the tree.

Here are some other Christmas tree safety tips from the Prairie Construction team to ensure you and your family enjoy a safe holiday season.

  • Fresh is best. Visit a tree farm to cut your tree as opposed to a pre-cut tree from a lot or retail location. If cutting your own isn’t an option, check for brittle needles on a pre-cut tree and choose one with flexible needles instead.
  • Use a sturdy stand. Choose a stand that is big enough for your tree and will hold you tree firmly in place. A wider or taller tree may require a bigger tree stand.
  • Safe lighting. Make sure any lights you put on your tree are in good working order with no broken bulbs or frayed or split cords. Older lights, even in working order, should be disposed of for newer, safer lights. And leave the lights on to enjoy them, and turn them off before going to bed for the night.
  • Keep away from heat. A dry tree can catch fire if it is too close to a heat source. Avoid putting a real tree next to a heat vent, television, lamp or candle.

And remember Water Water Water.

Merry Christmas and a safe and healthy new start to the new year from Prairie Construction.