View from the northeastern corner of the building area
September 4, 2003 Our first view over the future playfield shows clearing already in progress. The trees in this area have no branches because all the sunlight was up at the top of the foliage canopy. Little sunlight makes it to the ground, so new trees have a hard time getting started.
September 10, 2003 A little more open space, with evening sunlight coming sideways from the west. To the north, through a narrow band of trees, is the sunny unforested wetland which will separate the campus from Route 29.
October 3, 2003 Nearly all the large trees are cleared from the future building sites. After removing all the branches and small trees, the next step is to level out the large valley to the south of this view.
October 11, 2003 In the distance to the southwest, you can see the yellow skidder parked where the first school building will be. You can also see the autumn leaves starting to turn, compared to this same spot just a week ago.
November 11, 2003 The lone bulldozer on the site takes a lunch break in the middle of the future playfield. The overall site grading will be done after the first building site is prepared, so concrete and construction can get started.
November 20, 2003 There's no doubt now that work is being done. The center low spot is getting filled in with dirt from the ridge to the south, and at the same time they're flattening out the location for the first building.
November 29, 2003 It's a subtle change from a week ago, but impressive once you see it. The bulldozers have been moving earth an inch at a time, and now there's a 10-foot-high wall to the south of this viewpoint. The goal is to have the entire valley levelled out, in preparation for the playfield and two future buildings.
March 16, 2004 Winter has come, and almost gone again. The last of February's snow is melting away, remaining only in the shadowy areas. People returned to the site to practice sawing logs into four-foot sections. The day after this photo was taken, Saratoga got another six inches of snow.
March 30, 2004 Okay. Maybe this time winter is gone. The final clearing of land to the east is in progress. All the way out to the new treeline will be flattened and grassy for a play field.
May 12, 2004 The earthmovers are pushing northward and eastward, leaving a smoothed-out area which will become the playfield. The space that's clear and flat now is where the future planned second and third buildings will be. The new slopes of dirt to the west of this view are the topsoil that will be brought back on site after the earth is levelled to the final grade. From here you can better see the roofing trusses that were delivered this week.
May 18, 2004 The recent heavy rains have finished smoothing out the sandy surface where the bulldozer tracks had been. It's also easy to see the changes in the trees from just a week ago - soon all the maple and oak leaves will be out.
May 23, 2004 An overview of the school, showing two thirds of the floor and framing are done. Work is progressing on the two firewalls that will divide the building into three sections.
June 7, 2004 The crane is placing the cafeteria-end roof trusses - now you can see the full size of the building. There's also earthmoving work happening in the far east, levelling out the rest of the playfield area.
June 14, 2004 All that's left for the crane to do is place the rough-cut beams in the center great room. The main entryway canopy is partially covered as well. What you can't see from out here is the progress inside the building. Several rooms in the western end are wired, insulated, and sheetrocked. Work is also being done on the driveway, to the west of this view.
June 16, 2004 We're done with the crane - the 8" x 12" exposed beams have been lifted into place high in the great room. On top of the beams, rustic paneling will finish the interior look, while the outside gets covered with insulation, plywood, and roofing shingles.
June 24, 2004 Windows are going in, and more roofing work is getting underway. The great room has its paneling and exterior roofing done.
July 16, 2004 The roof is nearly done, and the north wall is all that's left to have siding put on. The playfield to the east is nearly completely graded.
July 21, 2004 A variety of natural siding styles are going on the north side of the building - the roofing is finished. Final support columns for the three overhanging roofs are still to be added, including the drive-up main entrance.
August 3, 2004 The parking lot is starting to shape up. Today the streetlights are installed all around the parking area, and out the driveway to Route 29. To the east, the leach field is being installed underground.
August 25, 2004 Concrete has been poured for the sidewalks from the playground end past the center of the building. The parking lot stormwater drains are being installed. The two propane tanks for heating have been buried in the parking lot area.
September 7, 2004 The parking lot and driveway are finally done. Tomorrow the crew will be back to paint the lines for each parking space. The bottom three feet of the center building section are ready to have the stone facade installed.
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