Costs for new fitness center creep up

Esko Schools superintendent Aaron Fischer told school board members Monday the construction of the new fitness center was progressing, but with unexpected costs. Previous work when the school was expanded in 1998 uncovered drain pipes that were no longer needed, but instead of being removed, were left in the ground.

"It's a $10,000 cost to remove that because it was underneath our new fitness center," Fischer said.

He also reminded the board of another issue, an extra door that a state reviewer ordered installed. Happily, the additional portal in the form of an air curtain is going to be far l...