The project is moving fast and furious on the new Performance Gym at Wright City High School.

The work is moving along so well that, at the monthly school board meeting for the R-II District in late September, Randy Higgenbotham, R-II Director of Construction, Buildings and Grounds, didn’t have up-to-date pictures to share.

That’s because many projects were completed between when the pictures were taken and the meeting. He said a late spring/early summer completion is on the table, with the first competitions on schedule for fall 2027.

“Before I get asked, I’ll say yes, we’re on schedule,” Higgenbotham said. “That’s a good thing. We’re on target, and it’s moved at a pretty good pace because the weather has been cooperative.”

Higgenbotham ran down a list of projects:

From the walls to the roof to interior systems, the project is moving right along.

“They're almost all done with the cinder block walls,” Higgenbotham said. “These pictures are almost two and a half weeks old.

“The roof is complete,” Higgenbotham said. “The last of the HVAC ductwork is in and the fire suppression is in.

“That is the last of the exterior brickwork and veneer work,” Higgenbotham continued. “My back was to the football field for this picture. It is (by now) all done.”

Higgenbotham added that the electrical room in the current high school has all of the performance center’s components hooked in.

“The feed from the current school will support the new gym, and that was the big, scary piece,” Higgenbotham said. “We’re ready to install doors in there. “Dr. Theo (Principal Jason Theodorakos) ’ team is very anxious to get in there.”

He said one project still to be completed is the gym flooring, since it is one of the last steps.

“All concrete and flooring are down, except the wood flooring,” Higgenbotham said. “We’re doing that at the very end to protect it, obviously.”