Contractors continue forward progress on the Rod Shippey Education and Field Lab facility at the UC Hopland Research & Extension Center.  The final roofing has begun, with portions of the roof awaiting solar tube collectors for two key areas within.  Great progress has been made on a final design for the audio-visual system and rough-in work should start soon.

Next week the now white-Tyvek siding color will begin to change back to a "barn image" with T&G cedar siding installed.   Currently, insulation is going in, window sill-work and installation has begun, and rough-in electrical and plumbing is in the process of wrapping up.

The contractor envisions finishing the basic building by mid-June, but then UC HREC will have to figure out how to furnish the building and complete many outside amenities ... such as septic, drainage, walkways, and patios.   The tentative "Grand Opening" of the facility is slated for late Fall 2012.