Celebration held for latest CANCO K-12 CM project

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CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Members of the team from Carl A. Nelson & Company (CANCO) that helped bring College Community School District's latest major building project to completion joined in a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house Sept. 25, 2024, at the new 9th-Grade and Prairie Delta facility, located adjacent to Prairie High School on the district's unified, multi-building campus.

Led by CANCO as a construction management project, the facility opened in time for the start of school in August. After almost three years of planning and pre-construction, work on the year-long renovation and addition project at the former Prairie Creek Intermediate School building began in the summer of 2023, just months prior to the new Prairie Creek school — also constructed with leadership from Carl A. Nelson & Company — opening to students. The project involved the total interior renovation of the existing building, and additions including an enclosed connector to the high school building dubbed The Link, for a complete project adding up to 163,163 SF.

"This moment marks a significant milestone for the school district," Nick Liston, CANCO's project manager, said as part of remarks delivered during the ceremony. "The renovation of this facility was not just about updating a building, it was about creating a space where the district's students can thrive."

Liston went on to thank the school board, administration and community for placing their trust in the Carl A. Nelson & Company team to complete such an important project for the district, which brings ninth-graders back in proximity to the high school and gives improved spaces for students in the alternative program, Delta. Liston also cited the role of the design team; CANCO construction team members, Project Superintendent Bill Curler and Project Engineer Doug Mertens; and the 18 prime contractors, their subcontractors and suppliers that completed the construction.

"Your expertise and efforts have truly made a difference," Liston said. "This would not have happened without all of you. We faced challenges along the way, as all projects do, but your collective determination and problem-solving spirit ensured that we stayed on-track and delivered a facility that exceeds expectations."

In his remarks at the ceremony, School Board President Randy Bauer credited CANCO for keeping the project on-time and on-budget.

"We're just greatly appreciative of your partnership," Bauer said.

Combined, the new Prairie Creek Intermediate School and renovated 9th-Grade and Prairie Delta facility represent a total investment by the College Community School District that exceeds $70 million in construction cost. Currently, CANCO is engaged in pre-construction planning for improvements to the high school's John Wall Stadium. Working again as construction manager, construction of the project will begin following the current high school football season.

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