“Curtis provided exceptional management for the project,” said Jodie Adams, Springfield-Greene County Parks Director, “Early in the project we lost 90 days due to weather and unsuitable soils. Curtis made up for those days and brought the project in on time.”

Rice was nominated by project architect Tyler J. Peck, AIA of H Design Group, the Botanical Center’s design team. Nominations for the prestigious award were drawn from superintendents of all Springfield region projects during 2010, and were voted on by members of the Springfield General Contractors Association. Springfield, third largest city in Missouri, has taken leadership in requiring LEED construction standards on all publicly funded projects to encourage “green” building practices.

Rice has been an employee of RE Smith Construction, a regional commercial construction company with offices in Joplin and Springfield, since 1992.

“The bathrooms have all be gutted and retiled, with new fixtures, the entrances have been re-worked, new handicap access has been carved out, including the addition of elevator access on four levels,” Nepote said. “We are putting on the finishing touches and preparing the renovated facilities for students and teachers. The KONE Elevator is being custom made and will be installed by September 30.”

Deanna Hunter, Caseworker for Beacon School, said staff is preparing their new facilities at Memorial and is excited about the opening of school. “It is a lot of work to move,” Hunter said. “But the facilities are spacious, clean and bright. We are looking forward to greeting the kids here on Wednesday.”

Memorial School originally opened as Joplin High School on Monday, January 21, 1918, according to the Joplin Museum Complex. It has been renovated over the years to serve as a Junior College, High School, and Middle School. The current renovations were a part of the 2007 bond issue, according to Joplin School superintendent CJ Huff. The remodeled facility will house Joplin’s Early Childhood/Pre-school program, Parents as Teachers (PAT) program, Beacon School, the new Flex alternative program for Joplin High School, and professional development activities for staff. The gym will continue to be used for athletic activities as needed.

Pre-cast panels were inserted by Romart, Inc. from Farmington, Arkansas, using a 150 ton crane. “The project should take us about two and a half days,” said Wayne Ellis, Romart Superintendent. “We have about 14 concrete panels to lower into place and weld together.” The shaft is being inserted into an existing interior building space, and will house an elevator for handicap access to all levels of the building. Once inserted into the shaft corridor, the precast panels are bolted and welded together, according to Richard Nepote, Project manager. KONE elevators from Kansas City will build a custom elevator on site after the shaft is completed, Nepote said.

No new taxes were used to fund the remodeling project, according to Joplin School superintendent CJ Huff. The remodeled facility will house Joplin’s Early Childhood/Pre-school program, Parents as Teachers (PAT) program, Beacon School, the new Flex alternative program for Joplin High School, and professional development activities for staff. The gym will continue to be used for athletic activities as needed.

The 19,000 square foot center is located in Close Memorial Park at 2400 South Scenic Avenue , and is a Springfield Green County Park Board project. Project architects and engineers designed the center to meet Silver Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) status.

“The building is designed for energy efficiency and environmental sensibility from the ground up,” said Mike Freitas, project manager for RE Smith Construction, general contractor for the project. “For example, it features a water collection system to utilize run-off rain water for irrigation of landscaping at the center, and will utilize a geothermal field and ground source heat pump for the HVAC system.”

The Center will provide public spaces for continuing education in landscaping and botanicals, as well as rentable space for wedding receptions and other events held in the Close Memorial Park gardens. In addition, it will house administrative offices for the Parks and the University of Missouri Extension offices, and will serve park visitors, botanical students, and experts in botany and horticulture.

Project architects are Brent M. Stevens and Tyler J. Peck, from H Design Group, with Mike Freitas as Project manager and Curtis Rice as superintendent for RE Smith Construction. Engineers are Mettemeyer Engineering (civil and structural) and Colvin Jones Davis (mechanical, electrical, plumbing). Jason Hainline, senior project manager Architectural Energy Corporation, is the LEED consultant for the project.

Work Continues

In December of 2008, workers poured the concrete for the gymn floor.

Gym Floor Pour

Killian Softball Progress

Killian Softball Complex contruction continues. The project is part of a 2006 1/4 cent Sales Tax initiative to improve Springfied Parks. The project is scheduled to be completed early this year.

The Field

South Middle School Gymnasium

Joplin South Middle School

South Middle School Masonry Tower