Project Updates
Frog Pond Primary Opening Update (Dec. 6, 2024)
The West Linn-Wilsonville School District has an important update regarding the construction of Frog Pond Primary in Wilsonville. On Dec. 4, 2024, the West Linn-Wilsonville School District issued a letter of Notice of Default (termination) with Emerick Construction for the construction of Frog Pond Primary School in Wilsonville.
Reason for Contract Termination
Emerick Construction repeatedly failed to pay its subcontractors for work related to the Frog Pond Primary project despite receiving regular payment from the district. These actions by Emerick Construction failed to meet requirements as outlined in its contract and under Oregon law. Emerick Construction also refused to engage in mitigation efforts. These repeated failures led to ongoing delays in construction, and Emerick Construction’s continued inability to pay its subcontractors gave the district no choice but to move forward with a contract termination.
No Impact to Project Budget or Taxpayers
The termination of the contract will not impact the district’s cost or budget for building Frog Pond Primary and does not increase costs or taxes for West Linn-Wilsonville taxpayers. Frog Pond Primary will be completed on-budget, and by taking this step the district can ensure that subcontractors will be paid for the work that they completed. The district will now work with the payment and performance insurance surety to take the appropriate steps to find a new contractor and push forward with construction.
Opening of Frog Pond Primary Will Be Delayed Until 2026-27
Given this unexpected contract termination, the district cannot ensure that construction will be completed in time for the opening of the 2025-26 school year. Given the uncertainty, and the necessary planning that would be required for opening, district staff recommended to the School Board during a Special Meeting on Dec. 6, 2024, to delay the opening. At the Dec. 6 meeting, the School Board voted to postpone the opening of Frog Pond Primary until the 2026-27 school year.
Further communications about Frog Pond Primary School will be provided in school newsletters and on the district website. The district would like to reassure and remind the community of its long track record of completing capital construction projects on budget. To review other completed projects as part of the 2019 capital bond, please visit the district’s bond website. Thank you for your partnership and attention to this Frog Pond Primary update.
Recent Activities:
■ Agreements between Zurich (the surety) and the District have been executed. Zurich awarded the project to Triplett Wellman Contractors to finish the project
■ Most original subcontractors have been ratified by Zurich and have returned to the project
■ Sidewalks along Brisband and Sherman Dr. have been poured. Concrete site walls and walkways have been poured in the courtyard, building entrances, utility yard and the covered play
■ Distribution of topsoil and installation of irrigation piping has started
■ Emergency backup generators have arrived and are set in the utility courtyard
■ Restroom tiling is largely complete throughout the building. Plumbing fixtures and toilet partition installation has begun
■ Classroom casework has been installed
■ Flooring has been installed in the administration offices and continues to be installed throughout
Upcoming Activities:
■ Permanent power is tentatively expected by the end of July
■ Necessary remedial work and completion of the exterior of the building is scheduled in the coming weeks
■ Installation of flooring, window shades and other interior finishes continues throughout the building
The West Linn-Wilsonville School District is excited to share that a contractor has been selected to resume work at Frog Pond Primary in Wilsonville.
The construction contract for Frog Pond Primary School was terminated in December, 2024 due to the contractor failing to pay subcontractors and suppliers. The school district has worked with the bonding company, Zurich, to resume work under the terms of the performance bond. Zurich has selected a completion contractor, Triplett Wellman Contractors, to lead the effort on site. Triplett Wellman is a well known contractor in the Oregon public school construction space that has built numerous projects in the area. Their experience includes successfully completing the new Sunset Primary School in West Linn in 2017.
Zurich is also working with the subcontractors and suppliers on the project to address issues regarding payments from the previous contractor. Many of these firms have received payments and have already agreed to return to complete their work. Zurich expects to secure agreements with all the original subcontractors and suppliers with outstanding work to finish the project. Additional costs related to these events are the responsibility of the bonding company, so the District does not expect increased costs to complete the project.
The Frog Pond Primary School construction site will begin to see activity in the coming weeks as Triplett Wellman coordinates the return of subcontractors. The District expects the project to be substantially complete in the late fall of 2025. Interested community members can learn more about the Frog Pond Primary project on the district website.
Construction onsite has slowed. The district is working with the contractor and architect for an updated schedule.
Recent Activities:
■ Painting is occurring throughout the building to facilitate the installation of interior finishes such as tack boards, markerboards, acoustical wall panels and casework
■ Ceiling grid and tile have been set in the classrooms, administration offices, and hallways
■ Classroom and office interior windows have been installed
■ The playground footings were poured and most of the playground equipment has been installed. The playground swings and artificial turf were delivered to the site
■ Low voltage cabling has been pulled and connected to devices throughout the building
■ The east curb for Sherman Drive has been poured
Upcoming Activities:
■ Gymnasium equipment such as basketball hoops, the scoreboard, the climbing wall and wall pads will be installed once painting is complete
■ Kitchen equipment, including the walk-in freezer and exhaust hood are scheduled to be installed in the coming weeks
Recent Activities:
■ Brisband Street has been opened to allow public traffic. Sherman Drive has been closed to facilitate road improvement work
■ Classroom and office casework, such as shelving, cubbies, and sinks are being installed
■ Drywall has been installed in most of the building, including classrooms, library and many office and storage areas
■ Installation of light fixtures and the ceiling grid are in progress in offices and classrooms
■ Installation of plumbing equipment, including boilers, water heaters and pumps have occurred
■ Brick and the fiber cement siding have been installed around the majority of the building’s exterior
■ The entry and solar array canopy framing have been completed. Installation of the flooring, light fixtures, solar panels and exterior finishes to follow
Upcoming Activities:
■ Site work is expected to begin at both the main courtyard and the playground. Placement of boulders and log benches to occur first, followed by concrete site walls
■ The utility yard concrete slab and housekeeping pads will be poured in preparation for the arrival of the trash compactor, generators, and switchgear equipment
■ More interior finishes to begin installation, including ceramic tile in the restrooms and ceilings in hallways