BRIDGEPORT — Despite heavy snows and bitter chill, construction is moving forward on the grant funded 31,000 square foot multipurpose facility to be dubbed “the Bridge” when it is fully complete on Bridgeport Exempted Village School District campus.

The leadership team narrowed down a date for the summer ribbon cutting when they met Jan. 28.

There is yet another reason to anticipate warm weather since doors are expected to open Aug. 13 or Aug. 14, likely at 5 p.m. Invitations will go out to local and state officials, including Gov. Mike DeWine.

The Bridge promises to make the school district a hub of needed services for thousands in the surrounding communities.

The opening will likely take place outside, with the ceremony to be moved indoors to the cafetorium in the event of bad weather.

The team is looking forward to at last opening the doors and giving the public its first look at the completed multipurpose facility, which will house health and dental clinics, fitness options, counseling, daycare, expanded education and training opportunities, and serve as an ideal gathering space for community events.

District leaders also heard a progress update from senior project manager Andy Lowther of Beaver Constructors, who reported construction has kept up, with workers battling the elements.

“We are still on schedule,” he said, adding the crews lost one or two days to the weather and there is less margin for delay, but they are working hard. “Nothing’s changed on the end-date.”

However, he added that if bad weather persists then they may be looking at overtime or extending work to later in the summer.

“We are still tracking to finish on time,” he said. “But if things continue as bad as they are, it’s going to impede us. We definitely did not get the progress we would have liked to since the last time.”

Superintendent Brent Ripley commended their work.

“It’s been a rough winter, but I have to tip my hat off to Beaver and all the workers. They continue to press forward in getting this building ready for August,” Ripley said.

Lowther said the section of the Bridge that will hold classrooms is nearing completion. The wing is largely enclosed and the interior is heated. Workers are currently installing mechanical, electrical and plumbing infrastructure. They are also progressing on the veneer along the back and north side. They can readily envision the completed Bridge.

“If you walk through the building, you’ll see duct work up in the ceiling. You’ll see your copper piping, wiring, it’s all the guts, the arteries of the building that make it function, that’s going in.”

Lowther said they will be installing exterior insulation the following week. Preparation is also underway to install windows in the classroom wing. One set of stairs is in place and another set is being fabricated and is expected to be in before the end of February.

Once the weather breaks, roofing will continue on the wing that will house a health and fitness center. Workers will also begin on the walking track.

Lowther reported they have delayed pouring concrete for the gym.

“We were set to pour. Because of the temperatures, we didn’t want to risk it,” he said. “We want to do quality.”

The gym will be named “the Dog Pound” and is expected to be an impactful component of the Bridge and community life, both providing a ready location for student athletes to train with state-of-the-art equipment and also serving as a workout site for members of the public. There will be options for all ages including a Silver Sneakers program to help senior citizens to stay active.

Ivan Vukcevich, designer with the SHP interdisciplinary group mentioned some minor alterations such as enlarging the chase walls to run utility pipes through the building. He credited the thorough planning during the design stages for a smooth construction process.

Talk turned to the placement of signage around the building to denote the many service providers that will have a home in the Bridge. The Bulldogs team is excited for the community to benefit.