Construction continues to advance at the new Pacific Middle School in Des Moines, where structural steel now stretches nearly the full length of the south classroom wing, according to Highline Public Schools.

District officials said crews are installing the roofing barrier and framing the gym’s exterior walls. Workers also poured the final concrete slab foundations this month for the main office and commons.

The project is funded by the 2022 bond approved by Highline voters and remains on budget and on schedule to open in fall 2027, according to the district.

Geothermal Wells

Geothermal piping is also being installed, which will connect to a ground-source heat pump and HVAC system for energy-efficient heating and cooling.

“Ninety-six of 146 geothermal wells have been drilled,” the district said. “The 350-feet-deep wells will all be connected in a geothermal loop to a ground-source heat pump and HVAC system for energy-efficient heating and cooling. The wells are being drilled in the upper field at the west end of the building site. A synthetic turf practice field will be installed on the surface.”

The district said that the heat pump will pull heat from the loop in the winter and send heat back into the ground in the summer.