The Rifle Range, How is it Progressing?

 

August, 2003           The conceptual drawings for the addition and initial City approval were completed by the firm of

                               Krech, O'Brien, Mueller & Wass, Inc.

September, 2003     Our bank (Associated Bank) was initially very pro on the project, until a number of their officers

                               left. Then we got the biggest run-around I have ever seen. All sorts of road blocks were thrown

                               up. We started looking at other options.

July, 2004               A bank (Prior Lake State Bank) showed interest in our project

August, 2004          The bank gave us an approval on our loan request. K.O.M.&W. is going to Phase II, permit and

                               construction drawings to meet the City requirements. Construction would be tough to do this year.

                              So, it will probably start in the early Spring.

October 27th          The plans were submitted to the city planning commission today. There appears to be no problems

                              with city approval which should end with the city council meeting on Dec. 20th

December 13th        Planning Commission Meeting. Sat through several drawn out discussions, then our turn. It took

                                about five minutes and we were done. Didn't even have to answer any questions. City Council

                               Meeting on the 20th.

December 20th        Was even easier, they vote on the whole batch at one time. So, that is done. Now the construction

                               drawings and then the bidding process.

March 10th              Final signed drawings are here. We are currently going through the bidding process. Once we have

                               most of the bids, then building permit application. The soil test has been done, waiting for the results.

April 15th                Building permit was applied for today. They will try and expedite the process so we can start digging

                               next week. Fabcon is on schedule to put the building up at the end of May.

April 20th               Loan was closed on today. Gas line capped. Building corners marked.

May 6th                  Building Permit was issued today. Don't want to ever go through that process again. Came very close to

                               canceling the project.

May 10th                The work started in ernest today, lots of dirt and concrete went away today. More goes away tomorrow.

May 11th                About a third is at grade level. Weather tomorrow may slow the work. Footing are to be poured next week.

May 16th                Most of the excavation is done. Should be done and ready for footing forms tomorrow. Footings planned for

                              Wednesday and Thursday (weather permitting)(thats asking a lot for this spring)

May 17th                 The excavation is done. Footings should procede tomorrow

May 24th                 The footings are poured and drying. They had to excavate a little more and the corner stakes were off. Set

                               the footings yesterday. The panel erection starts on Tuesday. Will take a week to do it.

May 29th                 Panel erection has been delayed until June 6th because the roof planks aren't ready yet. Other work will however

                               be done this week. Prep work and a part of the roof work.

June 6th                   The north wing wall and the old store room went away today and the shelf brackets were installed. The plan is

                                for 27 wall sections to go up tomorrow with roof planks the next day. Then the crane will be moved to the side

                               and more wall sections go up.

June 7th                   17 panels were put up, lost an hour due to the storm this am, they bring the crane down at the first sign of lightning

                               or thunder. Tomorrow, the rest of the walls in the back and roof planks go up.

June 10th                 Most of the walls are up, just the East and South walls for the classroom left to do. About half of the roof plank is

                                up. The weather has been a real problem, one day was a loss as the rain didn't look like it was going to stop.

                               Fabcon will be welding stuff on Saturday and put roof planks up on Monday. Then move the crane to the front

                               and finish the walls and roof. They will leave 2 wall pieces out for a few days so the backfilling can be done.

                               Tuesday, the electrician will probably start running conduit to the back under the sand. Should be ready to pour

                               the floor sometime the week after next.

June 13th                 The roof planks went on as planned except that some were too long. About a dozen of the planks had to be cut.

                               Tomorrow, the rest of the walls, next day, the roof for the classroom.

June 15th                 A small glitch today, the last roof plank was broken when it arrived. It could have been repaired in the field but

                               why? They will remake it and will be ready first part of next week. Really won't delay the project much as there

                                is still little things to do before the floor can be poured.

June 17th                 The foundation for the stoops have been poured, Some of the cutouts are to size. The blocking for the roof has been

                               started and the backfilling for the classroom has been done. The final panel and plank will be on Wednesday.

June 22nd                The last panels were installed as was the last roof plank. The building is for all practical purposes up. There is

                               a couple of cuts to make at the windows in the classroom. The backfill is done in the range and as soon as the sand

                               dries from the rain, the floor will be poured. Will work to get the blocking on the roof done so they can finish that.

July 6th                   The weather is good, so now the subcontractors are busy. The roof blocking is done and ready for the roofers, but

                                they haven't said when they will be here. Same with the floor, it's almost dry in there so that will happen soon, I

                               hope. Have been doing little things like preparing for the glass block and doors.

July 12th                 First batch of concrete hit the ground at 7:40 am. By 11:30, all had been dumped. This is the first of probably three

                              passes at it, they still have to do the store room, stoops, ramp and curbs. But at least the floor is done so other things

                               can be done.

July 28th                 The roof is on, waiting on the flashing but at least it is dry in the bay. Electrical is proceding as is the mechanical.

                              The rooftop units are to be put up tomorrow. Front doors are due tomorrow and the glass block around them is mostly

                               done. I am putting up the studs in the classroom. Fire sprinkler people are due here tomorrow as well. Some of the Caswell

                              equipment is due on Monday with the remainder to be here on the 8th.

August 23rd           I have been negligent in keeping up with these reports so will try and catch up. Most of the Caswell equipment is here, some of

                             it is wrong but what else is new. The shooting stalls with the motors are up, the metal for the back stop is up and some of the

                             rubber pebbles are in. Please realize that there are 12 tons of rubber pebbles so this is not a fast process. We are still waiting

                             for the flood light fixtures to come in, some came in today and are wrong. Can't put the light protectors up til the fixtures are

                             up and can't put the track up until that's done. Still a lot of work to do yet. Will probably be several weeks before it is ready.

                             The roofers are finishing up the flashing today then the outside of the building is done. Have a couple of doors to put up yet.

                             Will try and take a few pictures to add to the collection.

September 22nd    Almost done with the range. I should say ready to use as there is always more to do. The sprinkler people finished up today,

                             the air handling is almost done, lights are all up. Just a few things more. Am hoping that the range will be ready on Monday,

                              the 26th.

 

 

See Pictures

     

Return to Home Page