March 2007
Come Grow With Us!  District 16 Summer 2007 Renovation and Construction Projects
A Message from Dr. Don Helmstetter, Superintendent

As school construction projects go, it will be a very busy summer, but to make the summer’s work go smoothly, a few “summer” projects will actually begin in March.  Over spring break, the district will begin its asbestos abatement project at the high school site and will work to create an outside exit on the west side of Woodcrest Elementary School.  These are just two of the sites where extensive summer construction and renovation work will occur.

 Spring Lake Park High School complex

At the Spring Lake Park High School complex site, once the asbestos abatement project has ended in the current Early Childhood area, demolition of this wing will begin in March.  The district’s Early Childhood programs will temporarily move to the new District Services Center, and in April, construction will begin to substantially renovate and expand the high school Blue Gym, as well as to construct an auxiliary gym which will feature three full-size basketball courts and/or four volleyball courts.  A new band and choir area will also be constructed, as will a new fitness center and weight room area.  The newly renovated gym should be available by the time fall practices begin and by Christmas break, the entire new athletic and Fine Arts addition will be completed.

 Woodcrest Elementary

On April 2, site work will begin on the new Early Childhood addition at Woodcrest Elementary.  By the time school is out in June, the external structure will be complete and work will begin on both the kitchen and the parking area.  Significant deferred maintenance and renovation will begin on the north and west portions of the school.  Deferred maintenance projects will include new air handling systems in all classrooms; abated asbestos floor tile that is replaced with carpeting in the classrooms; modifications to classroom casework; windows replaced; upgraded plumbing, finishes and lighting.  The boiler room systems and chillers will also be replaced.

 Lockers will be incorporated inside classrooms.  In addition, all bathrooms will be fully handicap-accessible.  All work will be completed by the time school starts this fall.

 Westwood Intermediate/Middle School complex

At the Westwood complex, most of the work will be interior work at Westwood Intermediate School.  Significant deferred maintenance and renovation projects, similar to the work being done at Woodcrest Elementary, will begin, including the project for the complex’s  boiler system.  Once again, all work will be completed by the time school starts in the fall.

 Park Terrace Elementary

At Park Terrace Elementary, all work begins after students leave for the summer.  The west entrances will be closed.  Due to the extensive work being done inside, no parts of the building will be open to the staff or the public throughout the summer.  The west wing classrooms will be moved from the center of the wing, and reconstructed against the outside walls.  Natural light from skylights in the hallways will flow into the classrooms which will have windows facing the hallway.  Mechanical systems and the plumbing and piping will be replaced and new air handling systems will be installed.  New carpeting will be installed in the classrooms and the parking lot will be expanded, creating a safer separation of bus and auto traffic.  

 Drainage issues will also be corrected, and there will be an expansion of the kitchen/receiving area as well as the gymnasium to accommodate another teaching station.  Modifications will be made to the administrative area and to the public vestibule at the main entrance to enhance the safety and security.

 Stay informed

With so much construction about to take place, it’s inevitable that school schedules will be affected every now and then as the phasing is complex and the timelines are tight. We ask for your patience throughout this exciting series of projects that will improve our schools and benefit students for decades to come.  

 For more detailed information about our Facilities Improvement Plan and construction plans, I urge you to go to our school district website at www.springlakeparkschools.org, and click on Facilities Improvement Plan Updates.  And as always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.