Vale school officials pick contractor for new middle school

By John L. Braese
The Enterprise
VALE – District officials opened five envelopes last week, and chose a contractor to start building the new Vale Middle School.
After voter approval of a bond and some issues delaying the project, the Vale School Board was scheduled this Wednesday to award the contract to Petra Inc., a construction firm based in Meridian, Idaho.
“This is a big day for us,” said Vale Superintendent Alisha McBride.
Petra bid $10,116,961, an amount within what the district has to spend on the new facility. The four other bids were within 4 percent of Petra’s.
Bidders were asked to include in their prices a wrestling room, full bleachers in the gym, a gym curtain, fencing, and an updated entryway.
McBride hopes construction can start in March or April. Completion date is scheduled for May 2019 with classes there starting that fall.
Petra spokesman Chris Kaitanjian declined to comment on the project until a contract is signed.
Petra, founded in 1994, works primarily in the Northwest, with offices in Idaho, Washington and Colorado. The company has built school buildings in Caldwell, McCall and Meridian.