A timetable for a $6 million renovation and new addition at the Rugby Jr.-Sr. High was outlined to the Rugby School Board last week, indicating the project will take nearly two years to complete.

At the July 20 board meeting, Tim Zerr, of Fargo’s Zerr Berg Architects Inc., went through the phases of work.

It will begin this December with asbestos abatement in six classrooms in the southwest portion of the building with renovation to those rooms beginning in late May.

Asbestos abatement and subsequently more renovation would be conducted in other classrooms in the 1955 wing over the summer months.

Zerr said construction would also start at that time on the new addition to be constructed to the west of the gym commons. That will house the cafeteria, reception area and offices. Construction would take approximately eight months to complete.

Beginning in January of 2012, asbestos abatement would be conducted in the current kitchen, cafeteria and adjacent study hall room. Other minor renovation to other areas would start in the spring of 2012.

Spreading the construction out over a long period of time was obviously necessary because the building is in use nine months of the year, Zerr pointed out.

Cory Johnson, board member, asked if it was possible to completed some prep work on the new addition as early as this year. Zerr said that is a possibility to look into.

Board members, administrators and some teachers plan to tour some renovated schools next month in Fargo area which Zerr Berg designed and supervised the construction. That will enable school officials to get a better vision of the coming changes and gather some ideas to be implemented in Rugby’s project. In September, architects will then meet with staff to get some additional input before finals design are completed.

The construction plans and specifications will be prepared later this year and the project will be ready for bid in January of 2011, Zerr said.