Crews Begin Work on $32M High School in Winchester, VA

Wed January 16, 2002 - Northeast Edition
Brenda Ruggiero

Population growth in Frederick County, VA, has spurred a $32-million high school project in Winchester, VA.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the 242,414-sq.-ft. (22,520 sq m) Millbrook High School was held in July 2001. According to the school board, the name was chosen to represent a connection to the area’s historical background in the milling industry, which included several mills on nearby creeks.

Superintendent of Schools William Dean reported that funding will come from revenue bonds from the state of Virginia. The school is scheduled to open for the 2003 school year. At that time, Dean noted that enrollment will be 1,090, but maximum capacity will be 1,250.

Contracts were awarded in two phases, with the first phase involving the site work and the second involving the actual construction. Phase 1 was awarded to Perry Engineering Co. Inc. of Winchester, while Phase 2 went to Howard Shockey & Sons Inc., also of Winchester.

According to Michael Perry, vice president of Perry Engineering, the contract included rough grading and storm sewer work. They are currently working as subcontractors to Howard Shockey & Sons in the second phase, as well. Approximately 25 employees are involved. Sitework included moving 300,000 cu. yds. (229,368 cu m) of dirt. In addition, 60,000 cu. yds. (45,873 cu m) of topsoil must be screened according to specifications for the ball field.

Perry noted that the biggest challenge for his company was the weather. “We were hoping that the weather was going to cooperate to meet the milestones set at the beginning of the job,” he said.

Perry’s equipment list includes a Cat 621B scraper, several Cat 330 excavators, a John Deere 644 rubber-tired loader, a Hitachi 400 excavator, a Cat D5C dozer, a John Deere 544 loader and several Cat D8 dozers.

Bill Thomas, project manager for Howard Shockey, reported that the project is running on schedule. The number of employees on the job varies from 10 to 20, depending on what needs to be done on a particular day. The building is being constructed of masonry and steel.

Besides Perry, major subcontractors include Leroy Meyers, Hagerstown, MD, for the masonry work; Liphart Steel, Verona, VA; Don Largent Roofing, Harrisonburg, VA; Shen Valley Drywall, Elkton, VA, for metal studs and drywall; Riddleberger Brothers, Mt. Crawford, VA, for mechanical work; and Trumbo Electric, Broadway, VA, for electrical work.

Brenda Ruggiero

Brenda Ruggiero has written for CEG for over 20 years. She lives near the town of Accident in far western Maryland. Her favorite assignments so far involved interviews with Survivor’s Boston Rob and hot dog eating champion Joey Chestnut. Both were involved in construction at one time.

Brenda holds a BA in Mass Communication with a writing focus from Frostburg State University and minors in Public Relations and Political Science. She works full time as a staff writer for a weekly newspaper, the Garrett County Republican. She enjoys feature writing the most, which gives her the opportunity to talk to people and share their stories.

Brenda and her middle school sweetheart, Reuben, have been married for over 34 years and have three grown children and four cats.

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