The construction of Clear Creek Elementary School continues to move along as weather allows.
Ground was broken at the site in mid March, which is roughly 5.5 miles out Yukon Road. Extensive grading coupled with some rock removal were two of the first tasks.
Charles Black Construction has served as the construction manager at risk and has handled subcontractors and deadlines. Allen Mauney has overseen construction as project manager.
“Right now we’re still erecting steel,” Mauney said. “We’re probably 80 percent complete with the structured steel. We’ve completed all of the concrete work. All of the concrete slabs to support the building have been poured. We’re now starting masonry work.”
CCES is divided into three sections, which include a left, middle and right that are referred to as A, B and C. Sections A and C are nearly identical and will house classrooms. The middle section contains the main office, cafeteria and gymnasium.
The walls and roof are in place in section C, and construction has moved on to B and will finally finish with A.
CCES principal Stephanie Burnette has been involved in the process of selecting materials and discussed the building’s progression.
“I feel like I’ve been a big part of every phase,” she said. “We came out the other day and helped pick brick choices and mortar. I’ve been very fortunate to be part of all the phases. The last time we came out (about a month ago) the concrete was in but no walls or structures for the roof. The progress over the past month has been huge.”
Gilmer County Schools superintendent Dr. Shanna Downs added, “I’m amazed at how quickly they work. It’s amazing to watch it happen.”
The new school will offer more awnings than are available at the current school located on McCutchen Street in downtown Ellijay. Students will now have coverage in both the front and back of the school.
Additionally, CCES will have an interior gymnasium, which does not exist at any other school in the county. Burnette also believes the new location will help alleviate traffic congestion that comes with having two downtown elementary schools on the same street.
“Moving out of the city limits is going to be a big deal,” Burnette said. “Nothing is going to be exterior. Everything is interior in the new building and I think that is going to make things so much safer. We’re excited about that.
“In our current school, we didn’t have a traditional art room with the ability to do pottery and things like that.”
Burnette noted there is a buzz surrounding the new school and they have kept students and teachers updated on its progress.
“We have a construction bulletin board in our main hall where we keep everything up-to-date,” she said. “Our current fifth graders are a little bummed because they’re saying, ‘We don’t get to go’ but our current fourth graders know they’ll be ‘seniors’ on campus next year. The students, parents and definitely the staff are excited.”
Plans are to open CCES for the 2021-2022 academic year.
“We’re on schedule and at this point now weather is always a factor,” Mauney said. “Our goal is to get the roof on this thing as quickly as possible before it gets to wintertime.”