LOWELL | As middle school students entered their classrooms Tuesday for the beginning of a new school year, a cornfield just minutes south of the building was beginning to transform into a new middle school.

On Thursday, Stuart Franzen of The Skillman Corp., said the foundation and footings are in for the $45 million project.

"In two weeks, you'll start to see things above ground," he told the Tri-Creek School Board. He said the project is on schedule.

At the recommendation of Nathan Kleefisch, Tri-Creek director of operations, the board approved an alternate to the project that will add two parking lots at the site at Cline Avenue and Belshaw Road.

"The time to do it is now," Kleefisch said. "When we designed the building, we did the bare minimum for parking lots."

The approved lots -- one at 70,000 square feet and another at 110,000 square feet -- are expected to add 140 parking spots to the facility.

When board Vice President Sue Vauter asked what other alternates remain on the table, Kleefisch listed entry canopies, masonry, carpentry upgrades, restroom wall tile and occupancy sensors for lights, among other things.