In addition to adding another 40 welding labs with the construction of a new 50-foot by 100-foot building, the Williams Collaboration Building on the Utica Shale Academy complex also will see renovations to administrative officers, a cafeteria and an area to house a new junior high program thanks to a state infusion of funds. Work is anticipated to be completed by the start of next school year. (File photo)

SALINEVILLE — The Utica Shale Academy (USA) students will have additional welding facilities on campus after school officials accepted a $907,000 bid for construction.

Superintendent Bill Watson announced that the academy contracted with a Western Pennsylvania company, PDBM of Canonsburg, for the project, which is hoped to be completed over the summer.

“It should be completed by August,” he explained of the 50 by 100-foot building that will contain 40 welding labs, a CNC plasma machine and a classroom area.

Plans are for this latest building to be located next to an existing outdoor welding lab along East Main Street and is a restructuring of plans initially for a three-story building.

Officials revisited plans after yielding a smaller amount than initially sought.

The project was the first recipient of Gov. Mike DeWine’s Applachian Community Grant, after seeking to construct the new building and expand the welding, heavy machinery and robotics programs.

Remaining funds will be used to make improvements at the Williams Collaboration Building, which will house the school’s administrative offices, new junior high program and the cafeteria as well as install a new air circulation system with work anticipated to be completed in spring.