Construction work on an addition to the Hopkins Park Community Center that was expected to be completed later this spring is ahead of schedule, according to officials.

Irving Constuction Co., Inc. broke ground on the $550,000 project on Aug. 31 and set its sights on an “early April” completion date. But, Steve Irving, the company’s owner, said that earlier estimates on when the job would be finished were apparently conservative.

“We’re just about done,” Irving said. “We’ll be finishing the job about a month to six weeks early. We worked a lot of extra hours and it paid off by finishing ahead of schedule.”

Facility manager, Steve Sherrill, said he is pleased with the progress that Irving has made, although there will still be minor projects to finish in the spring.

“We’re ahead of schedule in some areas and right on schedule in others,” Sherrill said. “Steve (Irving) still has some kitchen cupboards and minor finish work, but that will have to wait until spring anyway.”

That work includes sidewalks and landscaping, which cannot be undertaken during winter weather conditions.

“There are a couple of items that will have to wait,” Irving said, “but all the indoor work is essentially finished.”

Sherrill said the early completion will not mean a savings on the part of the park district because the $550,000 contract with Irving Construction did not have any provisions for early completion.

“It has no effect on the price of the building,” Sherrill said. “It just means we’ll be able to start some programs earlier than planned.”

Among the programs the park district began right away is a cheerleading clinic for third- through sixth-graders, Sherrill said. The building will also be used for dance, fitness, gymnastics, karate and dog obedience classes, as well as housing a banquet room for rental.

“Our top floor is 99 percent completed,” Sherrill said. “There’s no reason some classes can’t be going on during the day while the work gets finished at night.”