There is little argument among central Wisconsin residents that this past winter was a long, hard one.
While it was nasty outside, the members of the Waupaca High School Comet Construction Crew were hard at work inside on their “House in the Parking Lot.”
The months of November and December saw the roughing in for electrical wiring and plumbing.
The students enrolled in my Residential Construction Class had the opportunity to work with Master Electrician Craig Jenson from Elmstar Electric, as well as Master Plumber Sam Woolsey from Woolsey Plumbing, during this phase of the house project.
The students installed fixtures for lights, outlets and switches under the watchful eye of Jenson.
The plumbing rough in was done by Woolsey, with the students installing some of the fixtures along the way.
When January and February arrived, students were insulating and hanging sheetrock.
Dave Johanson, from the school district’s Maintenance Department, shared his drywall hanging skills with the students as everyone got involved with hanging the sheets of sheetrock.
The process took several days with lots of extra time devoted by the students in completing this part of the construction process.
The finishing and texturing of the walls and ceiling were contracted out to a professional drywall service, and the students were able to observe and learn how the pros make finishing look easy.
March and April brought the completion of the final electrical wiring and the start of hanging doors.
Jenson returned to work with the students in the final installation of the electrical systems for the house.
Ken Vergauwen from K and E Builders stepped in to teach the group how to properly install doors, and will be continuing to work with the class as they install cabinets and trim work.
When completed, the students in the construction class will have engaged in almost every aspect of house building from rough framing to roofing, siding and electrical work.
It has been a learning experience for everyone involved with the project.
The two-year construction process will culminate with the sale of the house this spring.
An open house for potential buyers will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 10.
Sealed bids for the house will be accepted beginning on Thursday, May 8.
The deadline to submit a bid will be noon Wednesday, June 4, which is when the bids will be opened.
Those who have questions or want to view the house may contact Jen Erb at Waupaca High School at 715-258-4130, Ext. 1345.
Dave Larson is a technology education instructor at Waupaca High School.