Construction crews in Colman are racing to complete exterior work on the school’s new addition before winter, allowing for comfortable progress indoors during the colder months.
Dawson Hopkins, foreman for Puetz Corporation, said that overall, conditions have been favorable and the rain last week didn’t cause any delays. The building’s exterior is expected to be largely in place by the end of the week.
“We’ve completed foundations and interior footings, that’s where this precast is sitting on the east and north side and we’re just finishing up setting up our last double T, those are the ones that span across 6-7 feet (across the top)...and next week we’ll set our last four wall panels here,” Hopkins said.

He noted that there is still significant work to be done before the building can be fully enclosed.
While the current project moves forward, the Colman-Egan School Board is exploring another potential endeavor: a new track and football field complex.
At its recent meeting, the board announced the formation of a committee to examine what the facility might include. The district has also retained DA Davidson Financial to provide cost projections and evaluate funding options.
“It is the very first step in looking at doing the project,” Superintendent Scott Hemmer said.
The discussion was prompted by the anticipated final cost of the school expansion, which is projected to come in nearly $2 million under the amount approved by voters. The potential savings could be used for future projects.
For years, many in the district have pushed for improved athletic facilities, citing the community’s growth and the consistent success of the school’s sports programs. Colman-Egan is one of the few schools in the region without a track or a well-defined football field, which some residents believe the students deserve.