Several Bend-La Pine school upgrades completed
Upgrades have been completed at four Bend-La Pine schools, with four more big projects set to start in the spring under a $96 million bond measure approved last year by district voters, officials said Monday.
“The completion of these projects has increased safety and improved learning opportunities for kids in our schools,” said Superintendent Ron Wilkinson in a news release. “We are grateful to the voters for supporting these critical projects. We are excited as we begin to focus on next round of school improvement projects from the bond.”
In general, school district officials say the projects are on schedule and on budget, despite the return of very busy construction that has caused many public project bids to come in over estimates.
Projects completed:
Mountain View High School
Projects included upgrading the culinary classroom; renovating a storage space into a physical education classroom; resurfacing and major improvements to the track; and installing new flooring for aging upper and lower gyms; replacing and repairing broken windows, exterior doors and lighting connections.
Construction Contract: $3,328,095
Buckingham Elementary School
The major change involves the new front entrance, designed to improve safety. Visitors now must enter through a secure office area (in the past the entrance was an open hallway with an office to the side). Other upgrades include expanded front offices, a new conference room, upgraded bathrooms, ADA improvements including new accessible playground equipment, retractable cafeteria tables and other small updates throughout.
Construction Contract: $1,560,065
Summit High School
Projects included expanding the Career Technical Education space to allow for more instruction programs.
Construction Contract: $1,160, 939
Three Rivers School
A defined music room with stage was constructed.
Construction Contract: $245,879
For photos of the completed projects, click here.
Construction is also underway at a new middle school and new elementary school, both of which are slated to open in the fall of 2015.
The construction bond team is gearing up for the next phase of projects, which will begin next spring. That round of projects includes the following improvements:
Bend Senior High School: Replacing modular classrooms with permanent classrooms, reconfiguring the library, resurfacing the track, adding a soccer field, adding stadium poles and lights, replacing the tennis courts, renovating the art room and replacing single-pane windows throughout.
La Pine High School: Upgrading the science labs, constructing a soccer field, upgrading hallways, resurfacing the track, replacing the bleachers in the main gym, replacing part of the roof and other fixes.
RE Jewell Elementary School: Adding ADA restrooms, installing security fencing, upgrading all restrooms with new stalls and sinks, replacing asphalt on the north playground and other fixes.
Highland at Kenwood School: Renovating classrooms and hallways, upgrading and expanding the kitchen, repairing the parking and playground asphalt and replacing fencing.
