Construction timeline shortened for Naperville Central
Major renovations to Naperville Central High School may not take as long as expected.
Construction managers believe they have shaved eight to 10 months off the original estimate of 40 months in order to save money and give students less time in a construction zone.
Consultants updated the school board Monday on the major projects that make up its $114.9 million in improvements around the district. Residents approved a $43 million tax increase last February to help pay for the projects.
School board members got to see drawings of the $87.7 million renovations to Central that will include remodeling and new construction on a three-story wing that will house all major subject areas. The learning resource center will also be moved and updated, physical education and music spaces added and building entrances reduced for safety purposes. The football field will get synthetic turf.
Major construction will take place during summers starting in 2009, and the entire project should be complete in December 2011. Roughly 75 percent of the building will be affected with the exception of the auditorium and pool.
Kevin Havens, director of design for Wight and Co. architecture firm, said working with so much of the existing building is a challenge and they will try to stain some masonry to get a better match between the old and new. He called the design a "modern expression for a state-of-the-art school."
Board Vice President Susan Crotty commented while district and school staff had been consulted repeatedly, the community had not given input as to what the school should look like, and the building looks more modern than some of the surrounding areas.
Board member Mike Jaensch said North Central College's newly constructed Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center is also modern looking and has received positive feedback. He said he is happy with the design.
Construction started last month on another major project, a $7.3 million renovation and physical education addition to Mill Street Elementary.
Work is scheduled to be complete by August 2009. In the meantime, consultants said Monday they are keeping the site as safe as possible for students by putting a fence around the construction site and requiring all workers to be fingerprinted and show photo identification.
Nearby at Naperville North, installation of synthetic turf on the football field could start as early as next week. If the football team has a home game during the playoffs it will make arrangements for an alternate site. The stadium will be ready for graduation in May.
The district will also make improvements to North's parking and the pool, most of which will be done over the summer of 2009. Renovations at North will total $5.2 million.
In addition, the district will build an $11 million early childhood center off Naper Boulevard near Huntington Estates to serve young students with special needs. Construction is scheduled to begin in April 2009 and end in April 2010.
Inside, the building will be divided into four "neighborhoods," and classrooms will have irregular shapes to give students a place to be more comfortable and do small-group work. There will also be a multipurpose room and areas for art and music. The district is working on getting Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification for the school and is trying to secure numerous grants to help in funding.
Dave Zager, assistant superintendent for finance, said the district is right on par with its budget for the projects. If it uses all of the money it set aside for contingencies it will be about $2.1 million over budget, but if it uses none of the contingency money it will be $5.4 million under budget.