Martel awarded $18 million contract

Frenchtown School District #40 plans a Junior High addition to the High School, with 17 new classrooms and space for 300 additional students plus a new gymnasium. There will also be an addition to the High School with 16 new classrooms and space for 200 additional students. There will be renovation of the existing Junior High/Elementary campus which will add five classrooms and upgrades K-6. There will be increased space in the art, music, and library areas. A new Vocational Education facility is also planned.

With the successful passage of $18.9 million Elementary and High School Building Bonds in the Nov. 7, 2006 election, funding was secured for the projects.

Martel Construction Inc. was selected based upon qualifications, after a process of Request for Proposals with interviews with the Schools Board and CTA Architects. Martel Construction brings 46 years of construction experience to the project and has built 35 schools within Montana, including Hamilton High School, Ronan Middle School, and the new Bozeman Middle School.

Martel Construction Inc. will work very closely with the Frenchtown School Board and CTA Architects and Engineers and other team members over the next three years as this project will develop through several stages. From December 2006 through November 2007 design and generation of construction blue prints with occur. Bids are expected to be solicited approximately December 2007 with ground breaking and phase one of construction schedule for spring 2008. Construction is scheduled to be complete by fall of 2009.

Martel Construction's team is lead by Project Manager Steve Conway who has worked with CTA Architects on various projects for over 15 years. Nick Salmon of CTA's Missoula office is the architect's Project Manager. Randy Cline, Superintendent of the Frenchtown School District with oversee the Facility Committee.