Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Current Projects

Prairie Partners with Elkhorn Public Schools to Address Rapid Growth

Elkhorn continues to be the fastest-growing part of the Omaha metro area, and with that growth comes the need for new schools.

The Prairie Construction team is currently building the 13th and 14th elementary schools in the Elkhorn Public Schools district. Both schools are on track to be completed in August 2025.

As Elkhorn continues its rapid growth, schools in the community are quickly experiencing overcrowding. Nearby schools use portable classrooms, and completing these 2 new schools will offer much-needed relief.

The 13th & 14th Elkhorn elementary schools have a modern architectural design. They each contain state-of-the-art storm shelters and are being built to withstand 180 mph winds, following the tornados that hit the Elkhorn area in April 2024.

The Prairie has partnered with Elkhorn Public School on several school construction projects. We are experts in partnerships with schools to build safe schools with efficient designs and completing projects on deadline.

You can learn more about Elkhorn Elementary #13 and #14 here.

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Current Projects

Elkhorn High School Auditorium Renovation

The Prairie Construction team has been busy renovating the auditorium at Elkhorn High School.

A crucial step in the project was the installation of a beam that serves as a primary support for the structure. The beam was so large that bringing it in three pieces was necessary.  The pieces were then bolted together inside the building and the beam was installed with the help of the ironworkers.

A hole in the roof of the building was made so a large crane could access the beam and pull it up into place.

Click here to watch the installation of this impressive beam:

 

It has been our pleasure to partner with Elkhorn Public Schools for more than 20 years. We value your trust in us and look forward to future school projects in the Elkhorn school district.

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Current Projects

Updates at Elkhorn Ridge Middle School

It’s not unusual for projects to start small, and morph into a much bigger job. That was true for the scheduled addition of a security entrance upgrade at Elkhorn Ridge Middle School.

After further assessment, the decision was made to revitalize the interior of the entrance through multiple architectural and mechanical upgrades. While this extended the initial time for the project, the result was well worth it!

After the upgrades to the interior, the focus turned to the school’s exterior. The change of color gave the school a refreshed, updated appearance. Add a complete roofing system upgrade, and the entire exterior looks newer and more modern.

 

The updates to Elkhorn Ridge Middle School may have been more than originally planned, but the result is a refreshed, updated school that is ready to welcome the future’s brightest minds through the doors in the Fall!

 

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Current Projects

Update on Bennington Elementary School

Last Spring we announced the launch of another school project for Prairie Construction – a new elementary school in the Bennington School District.

We are pleased to share an update that the school will officially be named Stratford Elementary. The school is located at the southwest corner of 168th & Military and will welcome approximately 500 students in August for the 2022/23 school year. The school is close to 68,000 square feet.

The elementary school was recently featured in an Omaha World Herald article, along with an update on the new Bennington Middle School. The Prairie Construction team has been hard at work on the elementary school, and we are on deadline to complete the project in June or July of 2022.

The Prairie Construction team is skilled at building schools. We understand the planning and coordination required to meet safety standards and complete the project on deadline and on budget. We are proud to be in the homestretch of another school in the Omaha metro area.

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Company News

Welcome Nighthawks to Elkhorn North Ridge Middle School

Elkhorn North Ridge Middle School welcomed students for the first time when the school year started a few weeks ago.

Prairie Construction has built many schools in the Omaha metro area, and each one is unique. North Ridge, located at 183rd & Ida St. in Elkhorn, was constructed with state-of-the-art safety features and design, and is proving to be fully functional for students.

Here is an inside look at some of our favorite spots in the school.

Have a great school year Nighthawks!

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Current Projects, Uncategorized

Update on Elkhorn Middle School Project

We continue to make progress on the construction of the new middle school for the Elkhorn Public Schools.

Elkhorn North Ridge Middle School will welcome its first students through its doors in less than a month. Here’s a unique look at the progress!

Elkhorn North Ridge is located at 183rd & Ida St. and will accommodate the continued growth in the fifth largest school district in the state.

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Current Projects

Bennington Elementary School

The U.S. Census Bureau recently released official numbers from the 2020 census, and Nebraska experienced a 7.4% increase in population growth in the last decade. Nebraska’s population growth ranked 20th in all 50 states.

With population growth comes families and children, and with more children comes the increased need for more schools.

Prairie Construction can attest to this population growth. In the last decade, we have been busy building new schools – elementary, middle and high schools – across the metro area. We’ve done recent projects for the Elkhorn,  District 66, and Papillion/LaVista school districts, and most recently we have been busy with the newest elementary school in Bennington.

The elementary school is located at 168th and Military Ave. and will be a K-5 school with a capacity of 480-520 students. Our deep experience with school projects has helped us navigate the stages of this project and remain on schedule.

Prairie Construction is prepared to help business expand and school districts accommodate the continued population growth in Nebraska!

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Uncategorized

Robert Sturm Welcome Center Dedicated at Westside High School

Prairie Construction attended a dedication of the Robert B. Sturm Welcome Center at Westside High School last week.

We broke ground on the construction of the new student entrance at Westside High School. The project included a glass-enclosed vestibule and reception area designed to streamline student entrance and provide added security features to the main entrance of the school.

The welcome center is named for Westside alum and well-respected philanthropist Robert Sturm, who was a major donor for the project.

The space, which was officially dedicated last week, has already welcomed hundreds of Westside students since the 2020/21 school year began in August.

 

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Current Projects

Update on Elkhorn Middle School #5

Last year, we shared the news that we had broken ground on the new middle school for Elkhorn Public Schools. The school is scheduled to welcome students through its doors in the fall of 2021.

Elkhorn Middle School #5, located at 183rd & Ida St. will accommodate the continued growth in the fifth largest school district in the state.

With the help of a large tent over the project, the Prairie Construction crew continued work on the school throughout the winter. Concrete walls and slabs, steel erection, roofing and utilities have kept our crews and subcontractors busy, and we are pleased to report that the project is still on schedule for all deadlines.

Prairie Construction has built numerous schools in the Omaha metro area, and we get excitement from each unique project. We strive to create safe, beautiful schools that foster a love of learning for students.

We will continue to share updates on Elkhorn Middle School #5!

 

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!