TRIADELPHIA — Visible work to begin construction on the Menards store at The Highlands is expected to start after Labor Day, according to Ohio County Commissioner Randy Wharton.

“It’s my understanding they will begin (next week), and start mobilizing their workforce,” Wharton said. “The materials should start showing up. They have effectively started, even if they are not doing something with big equipment.”

Wharton serves as president of the Ohio County Development Authority, which oversees the county-owned development properties at The Highlands.

“The utilities are all in. We’ve done all we can do,” he said.

Excavators could be seen this week already parked on the site of the 200,000-square foot home improvement superstore.

“It will be a block building, and one of the first things they will do is work to get the foundation in,” Wharton said. “They will get the block up, and a little bit of steel and hopefully get it under roof before the weather gets bad.”

When completed, the store will employ about 150 workers. It is expected to open in the spring.

According to its website, Menards employs about 45,000 people in 14 states, mostly in the Midwest.

The store sells home improvement products and tools, but it also features grocery items, pet supplies, clothing, gift items and more.

Elsewhere at The Highlands, construction on the county’s sports complex is behind schedule, according to Wharton. He attributed the delays to rainy weather happening this year.

Still, Wharton expects the sports complex to be ready by late spring or early next summer. It will have six basketball courts surrounding a central turf playing field.