First phase of BHS remodel is complete – Belgrade News

Belgrade High Schools initial phases of a remodel are completed, and, Principal Paul Lamb said instructors are currently moving into their renovated classrooms located in the basement of the school.

The remodel, so far, moved 10 classes from a west wing building into the basement of the high schools main building, he said. The west wing was demolished during the phase of the construction, Lamb said, and crews are currently working to replace it.

Theyre in full construction mode to construct the new west wing, Lamb said.

The new building will be two stories and house a new cafeteria area, art and business classrooms and 10 math and special education classrooms. In total, the high school will be adding 17 new rooms and additional instructors by the time renovations are completed, Lamb said.

During the construction, Lamb said, 50 parking spots from the west side parking lot would be out of commission. This includes for athletic events, school and other events hosted by the high school.

But, he said, the construction would not impede on the students education, citing there will not be any use of portable classes. Students should expect construction zones when they arrive back from their summer vacation, Lamb said.

Belgrade Superintendent Leland Stocker said he was pleased with the progress of the renovation.

I always find construction to be an exciting time because we are anticipating the final product, Stocker said. We are very pleased with what we are going to provide the students with this year.

Construction crews ran into one hiccup while doing the basement remodel, which school officials said is normal when remodeling. In the basement, under the flooring, construction crews found that the electrical was integrated in the cement of the building.

Even with those surprises, were in a good place, Stocker said. Were still on schedule.

Lamb agreed with Stocker that renovations were still on schedule to hit their completion deadline.

Theres always hiccups in construction, but there has been nothing that has moved our timeline back, Lamb said.

The expansion project comes in light of a forecasted spike in attendance for the high school, Lamb said. The capacity of the school was for 900 students, but the remodel can accommodate about 1,300 students.

The next phases of the remodel include modernizing the entryway of the school. The lobby and cafeteria area will be wide open with a taller ceiling that exposes support beams for a second floor of classrooms, and glass panels to let natural light in the building.

More functional spaces would also be made for the choir and band and the technical education would expand to include three shops. The culinary arts program will also get its own home in two large rooms near the school kitchen.

School officials are predicting that renovations would be completed by 2019, and cost an estimated $25 million.

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First phase of BHS remodel is complete - Belgrade News