New transformers almost in place at HHS, track resurfacing also continuing

Local high school students and teachers have no need to fret -- as it stands now, power at Hanford High School should be back on by the beginning of August, said Bruce Pickering, facilities director for Hanford Joint Union High School District.

Hanford High School has almost no power this summer -- the off months are being used to replace outdated transformers on the campus. But the other major project this summer, resurfacing of Neighbor Bowl with an all-weather track, will likely take slightly longer than planned.

Eight of Hanford High's transformers -- which take electricity of one voltage and change it to another voltage -- are being replaced this summer. The project will be funded completely through Williams Funds -- state money allocated for emergency repairs or urgent health and safety threats at schools. Pickering secured $2.4 million in Williams Funds over the last two years, which the transformer and track resurfacing projects should be completely paid for through.

The vintage transformers were installed in the early 1950s and contain polychlorinated biphenyls, which ceased being produced or allowed in the United States several years ago because of hazard potential.

The week after school let out Pickering shut off Hanford High's power, with the exception of the administration building which runs on a separate transformer. And from that point, American Inc. had slightly more than 60 days to complete replacements and get power back on -- a goal with which American Inc. has done great, Pickering said.

Pickering said power in the classrooms will be turned back on first.

"When we turn it back on, you never know what's going to happen," Pickering said, naming potential problems that could be discovered when the school is repowered. "We're right on time. It's going really well. Anything could happen, but I seriously doubt it."

He added that American Inc. is about 80 percent of the way through the project. The cost of the transformer project came in well under budget, he said.

Cheryl Silva, district assistant superintendent of business services, agreed with Pickering that she was pleased with the progress of summer facilities projects at the high school.

"Our projects all seem to be running on schedule," Silva said. "We're keeping our fingers crossed that the transformers actually get done a little ahead of schedule."

But the track at Neighbor Bowl will take slightly longer than Pickering hoped.

When the prior track surface was lifted, cracks and rough areas were found in the concrete and asphalt underneath. Silva said the district is anticipating a change order to raise the cost of the project due to necessary concrete repairs. Concrete repairs require a 28-day cure. The all-weather surface is expected to go down beginning Aug. 11, and take about two-and-a-half weeks to complete.

"The big deal was getting a lot of work done before the Fourth [of July]," Pickering said. Neighbor Bowl is the site of the city's annual fireworks show.

Both the track and transformer projects were at a stoppable and safe point for the fireworks and festivities to go on as planned -- festivities were powered by donated generators.

Pickering said he anticipates Neighbor Bowl to re-open to the public by the end of August -- in plenty of time for the first home football game in September.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2424.

(July 21, 2008)