New Tri-Cities school won’t open this fall after construction is halted by coronavirus

A Richland elementary school under construction will not open for students this fall because of the coronavirus outbreak.

And work on a second school will not start, Richland district officials posted Thursday on Facebook.

The Tapteal Elementary School construction site in West Richland was closed after a worker tested positive for the new coronavirus that causes the COVID-19 respiratory illness.

“Prior to that closure, the project’s contractor informed the district the pandemic resulting from the coronavirus has caused other delays ...,” said the district.

With so many unknowns, district officials decided to postpone bids for construction of the new Badger Mountain Elementary School until more information is available. Work was expected to start on that school this fall.

The two school projects are interconnected.

“Tapteal students and staff need to move from their temporary home at the school located near Belmont Boulevard and Keene Road so Badger Mountain students and staff can move in and their school rebuilt on the current school’s site,” said the district.

The nearly $20 million Tapteal school will have 28 classrooms, three special education class, library, gym playground and a multi-purpose space.

Students and staff were temporarily in Elementary 11 on Sunshine Avenue until the new school was expected to be done in August 2020.

Fowler General Construction of Richland is the general contractor for the project.

The post said the district “remains fully committed” to rebuilding the Badger Mountain school.

The school board is moving forward with the project despite the state’s decision not to give the Richland district any matching money this year.

School officials say they need the space for more students and room to meet K-3 requirements and full-day kindergarten.

The current Badger Mountain building is one of the oldest in the district, and with new housing developments coming in West Richland and south Richland, the district doesn’t expect any empty classrooms.

In March, soon after all schools closed because of the pandemic, the district notified parents that an employee of Badger Mountain Elementary School in Richland also tested positive for the coronavirus.