The steel has found its place on our campus, like a massive Tinker Toy experiment, but bigger and more permanent. Today, we were excited to see the pieces for the roof of the new construction arrive. Something about a ceiling just makes the whole thing seem real!

Most of our steel has been delivered and is being erected to form the walls of our administration suite. It's like a giant erector set right here. The Kindergartners love it!

The concrete is poured for the new foundations that will become the administration wing off of Ellis Hall, and the faculty and admin offices for Willis Hall. Next up: framing!

This morning, before the sun was up, the concrete was down and filling in the forms for the footers of the new buildings. Later that morning crews worked with some pretty cool machinery (according to our Kindergartners) to smooth and dry the concrete. Not quite "hands-on" learning, but pretty good seats, regardless.

The foundation footers have been dug for the new buildings that will connect Willis and Ellis Hall. You can literally see them take shape!

Dr. Proctor met with the Roanoke Times this past week and we ended up on the front page of the Sunday Times with details about our project and the impact it will have on the Valley. If you didn't get a chance to see it, read it here:

These may not be the most exciting additions to Willis Hall, but they're just as important. These "little things" are big accomplishments for those familiar with the "challenges" of Willis Hall, like a leaky roof (no more!), bad HVAC (we have new closets to make room for the new system!) and aging electrical (brand-spanking-new!). Yes, we're kind of giddy about these hidden gems. After all, on a rainy day like today, that new roof makes a BIG difference!

The fill has been delivered and is now being evened out between Willis and Ellis Halls. We've also removed the landscaping on the side of Old Slack to allow for the infrastructure that needs to be placed underground for the new buildings. The Betty Branch sculpture is being stored safely while the work continues. Move the 360-degree photos to take a look around!

Happy Summer!

If you haven't been on campus lately you would be surprised to see all that's happened in the last 3 weeks: 

1. Willis hall roof parapets (the flat protrusions along the top edge) all the way around have been removed. 
2. New CAC road is roughed in and is being used (please drive carefully)
3. New Ellis Hall turnaround has been laid (still waiting on the sidewalk)
4. Willis Hall labs have been abated, tile removed, and trenches in the concrete floors have been cut (to add new plumbing and electrical)
5. Main traffic circle is closed forever with lots of fill dirt being added
6. Old greenhouse is gone forever!
7. Willis Hall student restrooms have been gutted

Over the next several weeks you will see work progress in the following areas:

1. The new Willis Hall roof being installed, including insulation and metal
2. More fill being brought in to the center circle (future Forum area)
3. Foundations, concrete, and steel being added in the new Willis and Ellis administration areas
4. Electrical infrastructure being added to Willis Hall
5. New flooring, casework, electrical, and plumbing in the 3 science labs
6. Tile, sinks, hand dryers, and partitions being installed installed for a complete renovation of the Willis Hall bathrooms!

M. Eric Lawrence
Director of Operations 
Owner's Representative