With winter weather slowing — if not stopping — work on the county’s new administration building in the past month, construction managers said it’s too early to tell if the projected completion will change. Septagon representatives acknowledged Monday during a status update on the project that weather has affected construction. Construction on the county’s 36,670-square-foot, two-story facility is expected to be wrapped up in February 2012. Work began in October. “Yes, weather has impacted the project, but as far the extent, we don’t know,” said Nick Smith, of Septagon. “The next couple of weeks will be critical in determining that.” Nonetheless, Septagon representatives and the county commission are pleased with the progress made so far while facing the adverse weather conditions, including one of the largest snowstorms to ever hit the county when a foot of snow fell earlier this month. Commissioners noted that crews worked in frigid temperatures to remove concrete forms and have been on-site as much as possible. Presiding Commissioner Arden Engelage believed some previous lost time was recovered because crews were able to get all of the foundation walls poured. “At this point, they are doing everything possible to meet the (projected completion) date,” Northern District Commissioner Dan Hampson said. “Whether or not weather plays a part, you know that going in.” The county’s new building will house all non-court related offices. The building is being constructed on 3 acres the county purchased in 2009 on South Highway 47 and Mockingbird Lane in Warrenton. The overall project, estimated to cost $6.5 million, is being funded out of the county’s capital improvement fund. Since last month’s status meeting, held on Jan. 18, all interior footings and foundations are now complete. The final section of foundation wall was poured Jan. 27 as approximately 140 yards of concrete was pumped into the forms with a 61-meter boom from a concrete pump truck, said Greg Drake with Septagon. He added that John Smith Masonry will be starting soon on the elevator shaft walls and Hawkins Construction will begin erecting the structural steel within the next couple of weeks. Drake noted that the fabrication of the structural steel is under way. “Our project managers are doing what we hired them to do,” Southern District Commissioner Hubie Kluesner said. “Once we get a phase down, they are ready to move onto the next phase.” The cold temperatures also halted drilling of wells for the geothermal system in the past month. Currently, only 12 of the 70 wells have been completed. Initially, the wells were expected to be completed by now. Drake said the subcontractor was back at the site Monday. He said the well drilling would not affect the project’s time line for completion. Also at Monday’s status meeting, the commission approved a change order request in the amount of $607. The change order included a savings of $1,252 that was offset by a $1,155 extra expense for additional data and electrical receptacles and a $704 charge for construction of an extra wall. The next project meeting is scheduled for March 21 at 1:30 p.m.