Hills-Beaver Creek students, coaches and opposing teams are enjoying the new locker room facilities at the high school. By Jolene FarleyHills-Beaver Creek school officials are withholding final payment to the architect for construction of the locker rooms at the high school."They have been paid up in full to this point, we need to make sure we get done what we need to get done," Superintendent Dave Deragisch said. With new construction, a few kinks are expected, according to Deragisch. When students began using the new locker rooms Dec. 1, 2003, there were many issues to resolve.The shower floor in the visitor’s locker room had to be replaced because the water flowed into the locker rooms instead draining. There were visible lines where the paint that was sprayed on the ceilings overlapped. Adjustments were needed on the heat and ventilation systems. "A lot of these things were expected and it’s pretty normal to have some problems when you build a project like this," he said. "Everything has been taken care of, the companies that needed to take care of the problems have been very responsible," Deragisch said.The only issue remaining is low water pressure in the showers, according to Deragisch. Water pressure for the new facility is better than in the old locker rooms but not as strong as it should be.The original showerheads were replaced with new showerheads that spread the water spray out. That helped, but it hasn’t entirely corrected the problem. Deragisch has told architects a pressure pump should be installed for the locker rooms and the district won’t pay for it. The architects were informed before the project began that the school had water pressure issues. The engineer, mechanical engineer and architect for the project are negotiating among themselves to decide who will pay for the additional work.Contractors won’t install the pressure pump until school is out for the summer because the water needs to be shut off.Even with low water pressure, students and coaches are excited about the new locker rooms, according to Deragisch."The kids from Hills-Beaver Creek and the opposing teams have really enjoyed the facility," he said.
