Helias Catholic High School is a couple months into construction for its new science center, and, although there have been some minor delays, school officials feel good about the progress.
Construction workers ran into more limestone below the dirt surface than anticipated, so it has added a few extra weeks to the excavation process, said Helias President, Rev. Stephen Jones.
While minor delays like this are common, it could add to the overall cost of construction for the science center, but at this point it's too early to tell.
"Things are going really well," Jones said. "There's been more rock in the area than we expected, so it's more labor-intensive and time-consuming than expected. But no, I'm not getting nervous."
The excavation was originally estimated to take three to four weeks, and it could be a couple more weeks before the area is ready to lay footing for the foundation, Jones said.
However, will the early delays stymie the fall 2016 completion of the center? That, too, is difficult to predict, Jones said.
He is hopeful the center will be ready by the next school year, but if it opens a month or two afterward, that's OK with the school, Jones said.
Helias' campaign project, which is aimed at raising money for school construction, kicked off in mid-September, and Jones said it's going well.
He said $4 million was already raised from donors, and the goal is to raise $15 million over the next five years for the science center, fine arts center, a larger chapel and a complete sports complex.
The school will host a public meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21 at the Helias Fieldhouse, so community members can ask questions and hear the school's plan.
"I want to be available and show the community this is something we need," Jones said.