Curves carry the day in remodeling design

The Menomonie School Board likes the look of a new curved, window-filled entry for Menomonie High School. Presented with several design options for referendum-funded building and remodeling projects Monday night, the board favored the one that not only departs from the traditional straight lines currently in place on the high schools east side, but also allows an abundance of natural light to fill the space. I much prefer the curved entrance, said board member Alan Block. It changes the whole face of the school to have a curve there. The entrance roof will be raised and a similar curved entry will also be incorporated into the River Heights Elementary redesign. And in a further departure from tradition, Downsville Elementarys heating and cooling system will be replaced with a $50,000 geothermal system. Architect Tom Twohig said the system has an average lifespan of around 50 years, with a payback estimated at just over 12 years. While geothermal may be cost effective for Downsville, the same wasn't true for River Heights. With a 26-year payback, it was decided that River Heights would go with a traditional HVAC system.

Two gyms or three? The current redesign plan calls for a new $2.4 million gymnasium with two bays. A third basketball court with a mezzanine above the adjacent tech ed classrooms would provide seating for an additional 750 spectators. District Administrator Chris Stratton told the board that since bidding for a third bay would be made separately, the decision about whether to add it can be made later once the final bids for the basic project come in. The addition would allow the high school to hold graduation and prom on site rather than having to rent space at UW-Stout. It would also create the space needed to host basketball tournaments, something that cant be done with the current facility. Were not big enough, Stratton said, adding that larger tournaments would generate extra revenue for the district. Board President Colleen Davis noted that in addition to rent, What Stout takes from concessions ... thats a big chunk of change. She also pointed out that the mezzanine would have uses beyond extra seating, such as dance practices, wrestling and music events. Actually there could be physical education, too, Stratton added. Board member Frank Burdick asked, If the bids come in right, we could do the third bay without the mezzanine? Stratton assured him that it would be possible since the components are all separate.

Timeline Now that the board has approved the final drafts for the referendum projects, the construction design phase is next and is expected to take about four months to complete. Were on schedule for all three projects, Twohig told the board. Bids will be sought in the middle of January and received back 30 days later. At that point, the general contractor will spend the next two months on contracts, submitting shot drawings, and ordering materials. Twohig said the potential start date for exterior work will be April 15 weather permitting. And at the end of the school year in the middle of June, interior remodeling will get started as soon as possible. Pleased overall about the remodeling plan, Burdick said, I think it goes a long way to improve what weve got. I would have liked to see a whole new school, but this is much, much better than what we had before.

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Curves carry the day in remodeling design