Students at DeKalb Central in grades 6-12 are have access to improved sports, music, science, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) facilities thanks to a comprehensive overhaul specific areas throughout the campus. Designed by architect Garmann Miller and built by WCI, this addition and renovation addressed a broad scope of needs that will stand to serve learners and educators alike well into the future.
In the high school, interior redevelopments were performed in two key areas:
In the shop, the redesigned space made way for new workstations and tool storage for various learning programs. The weight room got a significant upgrade with garage doors for easy access and airflow, as well as updated flooring surfaces to support weight racks, bench presses, and other gym equipment. Outside, the existing grass football field was removed and replaced with synthetic turf; the track encircling it was also resurfaced. Other additions included:
At the middle school, a semi-translucent entry canopy was constructed, modernizing the main entrance of the building while paying homage to the district theme by including Barons’ colors and signage. This also features a newly poured concrete pad, outdoor seating, and garden beds. Inside, the cafeteria, hallways, lockers, band room, science classroom, and assembly area received new flooring, paint, HVAC system, and lighting.
“Some of the unique challenges that public schools have is the time frame in which the projects can be done. So whether it comes to the renovation of the middle school that obviously can’t be done when kids are in school. To have only the months of June and July to get a lot of that work done is extremely difficult.” – Steven Snider, former CFO, DeKalb Central Schools
Due to limited time with full access to the campus, Weigand approached this project with a deliberate, compressed schedule in order to complete the proposed scope of work in about two months. This required extreme coordination with suppliers, subcontractors, and WCI’s own workforce to ensure that each sequence of the job was properly delivered in the timeframes allotted throughout the summer months. This allowed teachers and administrators to move back into the space when construction finished without any disruption to the beginning of the fall semester. We’re proud to have partnered with DeKalb Central Schools make this project a reality and approach it in a way that best served their needs and timeline goals.
