By LARRY LANNAN
The construction of Deer Creek Elementary School is moving along, but there are some issues that Harry Delks, Facilities Director for Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools, explained to the school board Wednesday night.
This school building will be within the city boundaries of Noblesville. HSE schools other than Durbin Elementary (which Deer Creek is replacing) are located in the city of Fishers.
According to Delks, Noblesville would not issue the required permits to begin construction on Deer Creek Elementary unless HSE Schools agreed to foot the bill for Duke Entergy power line and pole relocations. Noblesville plans to expand Boden Road in the future and wants the poles and lines relocated in anticipation of that project.
Deer Creek Elementary construction as seen in a Hagerman Group drone video. (Photo provided)
Delks says he is hoping the cost of the relocation will be in the range of $400,000 to $500,000. If an unforeseen emergency were to happen, such as a tornado outbreak where Duke would need to send their own crews to respond, the project would be outsourced and could cost as much as $1 million.
HSE Schools agreed to pay for the Duke relocations because Noblesville would not approve the necessary permits without that assurance. “We really had no choice,” Delks told the school board.
Mike Holtkamp of the Hagerman Group told the board the Deer Creek building project is currently on budget. However, the expense of moving the Duke poles and lines was not included in the original budget.
“There has been work from the team to make sure that this comes in under budget,” said HSE Schools Superintendent Allen Bourff. “In order to do so, we’ve had to adjust our design plans … it’s still going to be a beautiful building.”
Holtkamp told board members the school district is fortunate that Deer Creek’s construction began early enough that it has not been plagued by construction material price hikes and shortages other projects are experiencing.