Capital Improvement Project Home

Scope of Project

Project Documents and Materials

As part of our capital improvement project that voters approved in 2021, construction continued this summer throughout our academic and athletic buildings. As of early August, construction team members were making their way through two phases of the project, with the first phase focusing on the expansion of the gym, installation of the gym lockers/locker room and work on the new STEAM classroom. The second phase involves construction of the instrumental and vocal room.

 Phase two is expected to be done by Oct. 1, 2023, and phase one by Dec. 30, 2023. Our two main goals at this time are enclosing the building envelope and getting as much done inside so as to minimize disruptions to students, staff and the educational environment when classes are in session.

For our capital project, the lighting component of our energy performance contract (EPC) is nearing completion, and the work will soon transition into upgrading our building's HVAC systems and controls for energy efficiency.

In the large gym and STEAM space, steel decking has been installed on the roof, and the construction team (pending weather) is getting ready to pour the concrete. It is so exciting to see this space come to life! We are also happy to report that the work continues to be on schedule and on budget. Updates to follow!

We are planning on proposing an additional capital improvement project vote in December 2023. In order to ensure that GCS staff and community members have the opportunity to provide input regarding this next planning process, the district held two building planning task force meetings on March 16 to discuss the gym repairs and building project solutions. 

We will continue to keep you informed through monthly newsletters and district platforms on all the important GCS happenings! 

Building Planning Task Force meeting held on March 16

As you are aware, GCS has been hard at work completing the approved scope items from the 2020 capital improvement project. 

However, there have been some construction hiccups along the way. Most recently, over winter break, a pool chlorinator malfunctioned, causing pool water to flood the basement. The water damaged a major portion of the large gym floor and approximately 40% of the gym floor will need to be replaced. 

As we plan to repair the floor, we are conscious of the fact we will need to move forward with a future capital improvement project to replace the large gym due to the structural deficiencies already identified in the summer of 2022. We are planning on proposing a capital improvement project vote in December 2023.  

In order to ensure that GCS staff and community members have the opportunity to provide input regarding this planning process, the district has begun holding regular task force meetings, comprised of staff and community stakeholders, to discuss the gym repairs and building project solutions.

On Thursday, March 16, about 20 community members met for the first time to jump-start this work. The group had a productive discussion. The next meeting, along with an opportunity to share thoughts on the project planning will be held in the coming months, with a date to be determined. Stay tuned!

Capital Improvement Project work continues, and despite some hiccups along the way, construction remains on schedule. Currently, steel beams have been erected in what will be the future gymnasium and Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) space.

You might remember that the capital project referendum included a separate proposition that included the approval of an Energy Performance Contract (EPC), at no additional cost to the community. The EPC, to be completed by Day Automation, will fund energy-saving building improvements, including the installation of all new LED lighting and modern building controls across the district.

Presently, all of the LED light fixtures throughout the district are being replaced with LED bulbs. As lights are being replaced in our classrooms, the outside lights [adjacent to the classrooms] will be replaced in conjunction. Outside parking lot lights are also in the process of being replaced. More photos to come!

The Capital Improvement Project work continues to be on schedule, and despite some of the challenges we have faced, we are moving forward in a positive and productive manner. A highlight of this past season was being able to give our athletes the opportunity to play their home games on the new “Field of Dreams.” (GO BLUE!)

As you may remember, the safety issues discovered during the demolition of the small gym led to multiple, further inspections of the large gym by two different structural engineer firms. Unfortunately, it was determined that the large gym needed to close until remedial work could be completed to keep masonry block from falling during construction. Out of an abundance of safety for our students, this impacted the space where their physical education (PE) classes were held, however, thanks to the flexibility and creativity of our physical education department, our students’ PE classes were largely unaffected.

As work continues, we will soon be able to see the steel structures constructed for the gymnasium and Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) space. We cannot wait to give our students opportunities to learn and create in this new and innovative space!

Thank you to the members of our school community who participated in our focus groups over the summer and fall. Your input was invaluable, and helped inform the work of our Strategic Planning Committee.

The Strategic Planning Committee will reconvene again on Feb. 1, 2023, with the goal of the draft plan going before the Board of Education in an upcoming board meeting.