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Construction is ahead of schedule on the Oregon National Guard’s new facility in Polk County. The Colonel James Nesmith Readiness Center will house the 162 Engineer Company, replacing the 98-year-old Dallas Armory, which was condemned in 2008 due to structural defects.

Portland-based is finalizing its design as moves ahead with construction. Crews are now installing site concrete, putting up structural steel and starting to put up framed steel walls, according to Jim Willeford, Oregon’s chief of military construction. The facility is expected to be complete by June 2012.

The $18.4 million facility is contracted to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design silver, but tracking a gold rating. The federal government provided $12.8 million in funding, and Oregon supported the project with $5.6 million.

The Readiness Center is designed and built to meet community needs, according to Willeford, and the spaces must be rented by the community in order to cover operation and maintenance costs.

鈥淭he legislature, in its wisdom or its frugality, has underfunded the facility,鈥� Willeford said. 鈥淪o we must rent those spaces in order to keep the lights on.鈥�

The assembly hall will feature upgraded audio-visual equipment and other amenities that Willeford said might attract wedding or prom rentals.