PdC School Upgrade Plans
This is an architectural rendering of the B.A. Kennedy Elementary School library. (Renderings courtesy of HSR Associates)
The 750-seat auditorium at the high school will have improved acoustics, storage, support space, lighting and sound.
School upgrade plans getting closer to being finalized
By Ted Pennekamp
The staff, the administration and the school board have been working hard and giving input to HSR Associates regarding the Prairie du Chien School District facilities upgrade project since the $18.9 million referendum passed in April. Members of the public have also been involved in the process.
Numerous details of the project were discussed during a presentation of preliminary plans conducted by HSR personnel at the Prairie du Chien School Board meeting Monday night. HSR Associates of La Crosse is the architectural firm working on the project and the plans have continuously been refined within the last several months.
Plans will continue to be fine tuned in the coming weeks, and bids are expected to be let in late January. It is hoped that bids can be approved by mid-February and that some contractors can begin working by mid-February or early March, depending upon the weather.
At the meeting Monday night, the school board approved of adding the replacement of a multi-zone HVAC unit at B.A. Kennedy as part of the project. The unit is failing, near the end of its life span and needs to be replaced. A new unit is estimated to cost between $75,000 and $100,000.
Some of the other highlights of the presentation included upgrades to the library in B.A. Kennedy and upgrades to a first grade restroom. The library will be a huge improvement,” said District Administrator Drew Johnson. The library will include an updated computer lab and classroom space, along with a “sky-like” effect on the ceiling with plenty of natural daylight coming in from several windows. There will be color coding to indicate different areas of the library which will be arranged so as to maximize space efficiency. The restroom will have walls from floor to ceiling between toilets. Each toilet area will have its own door. Fixtures will be upgraded. A shower will also be installed at BAK.
The parking lot at Bluff View will be reorganized for improved efficiency and safety. It will be simplified and easier to navigate for dropping off or picking up students. The parking will be changed to 90-degree stalls and parking will be increased to 170 stalls, which is 50 more than the current configuration. There will be an approximate 20-car length drop off lane. Parking lot lighting and drainage will also be improved.
There will also be upgrades to the technical education and wood shop rooms as well as the band room at Bluff View.
The band room will be much bigger and will have improved storage for instruments. There will be more practice rooms and the acoustics will be improved.
Bluff View plans also call for auxiliary gym space which would allow for two full basketball courts end-to-end when needed. Otherwise, there will be a moveable wall and the auxiliary gym space can be used as a wrestling room.
The Bluff View science room will also have improvements. All rooms will have their own thermostats.
The biggest improvements in the high school will be the large addition on the west side of the auditorium and the two-bay gymnasium.
The auditorium will have 750 seats, some of which will vary in size. There will be a wood look to the ceiling and the floor will be either epoxy or rubber. There will be extra support space including storage, costume sewing, a make-up room, etc. There will also be an orchestra pit in front of the stage. HSR and school personnel said Monday night they will be looking into the possibility of a hydraulic orchestra pit cover lift.
Preliminary plans call for a two-bay gymnasium with support services. There will be a 30x40 greenhouse coming off of the south end. A second alternative would be to have a three-bay gymnasium. Monday night’ discussion also included the addition of several security cameras in the gym.
The high school will have all new stations in the home economics area and a new foods lab. The science rooms will also have several improvements including several new microscope work stations and a shared eye wash and shower area. The chemistry room will have more storage and improved gas lines. Counter tops and a hood will be replaced. Upper cabinets will be added in the biology lab.
Numerous other improvements and details were discussed at Monday night’s meeting that aren’t mentioned in this article due to space limitations.
The general overall project involves construction of a new auditorium, a new greenhouse, a new gymnasium and support space at the high school; and a gym annex, support space, instrumental music space and technical education space at Bluff View Intermediate School.
There will also be playground improvements at Bluff View, along with parking improvements and site upgrades. At B.A. Kennedy Elementary School, improvements will include remodeling, renovation and other improvements.
In addition, there will be air conditioning in all three schools, equipment acquired and furnishings and fixtures upgraded.
