Naperville Dist. 203's early childhood center taking shape
Naperville Unit District 203's Ann Reid Early Childhood Center is blossoming along Naper Boulevard a year after construction began.
Officials say the project is on time despite early setbacks and will be ready to open when school begins in August.
The $11 million school being built near the Huntington Estates neighborhood on the Naperville/Lisle border will serve young children with special needs as well as "typical" peers who pay tuition.
Previously, children in the program were spread across five district schools, using classrooms meant for older children.
Ralph Weaver, director of facilities and construction for District 203, estimates 75 percent or more of the exterior siding, HVAC, roof, plumbing and electrical work are complete.
Crews are painting the walls in shades of blue, green and yellow, adding soundproof material to the ceiling and preparing to install floor tiles.
The 48,000-square-foot building is one story and officials hope it will both blend in with the surrounding neighborhood and also make its students feel at home.
"We're trying to make it look as residential as possible," Weaver said.
Sixteen classrooms in the building will be divided into four "neighborhoods" with a multipurpose room in the middle of the building.
The classrooms are designed to be flexible spaces for large or small group work. Windows at varying heights will provide natural light and give even small children a view of the gardens outside as well as a peek into the hallway. Each classroom will have a nearby bathroom, office and storage space.
Outside, the school will have its own secure playground and the district will rebuild a neighborhood playground.
The early childhood center will be the district's first green building and officials plan to apply for the building to get Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification. The district also received a $333,978 grant from the state Environmental Protection Agency.
Chad Alexander, project manager with Lamp Inc., said the building will be energy efficient and crews are using recycled and regional materials. The school also will have a reflective roof, bioswales, pavers that absorb bus exhaust, and native grasses.
Lamp Inc. is managing construction of the building that was designed by Wight and Company.
Crews broke ground on the school in March 2009 and were met with a rocky start due to excessive rain and the discovery of debris in the soil.
Still, a year later the project is on track and Weaver expects construction to be complete in July, giving the district a month to move in before students arrive.
Thus far, the project is about $6,000 below its $11 million budget. The school is part of $114.9 million in projects around the district. In a 2008 referendum, taxpayers authorized the district to issue $43 million in bonds to help pay for the work.
The school is named after a longtime special education educator and administrator who died in 2008 after battling cancer.
For information about the school, visit www.naperville203.org and click "Building the Future."