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Stonehill College Sports Complex Earns Construction Award

EASTON, Mass. — The Sally Blair Ames Sports Complex at Stonehill College in Easton received a Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) Project Achievement Award in the New Construction category on April 19. The newly expanded facility offers students, faculty and staff more than 100,000 square feet of recreational and athletic space.
Named in honor of the college’s former president, The Rev. Mark T. Cregan, C.S.C., Athletic and Fitness Center houses weight and fitness rooms, group exercise rooms, a student lounge, locker rooms for 12 teams and a sports medicine facility. It also features the Lou Gorman Pavilion, showcasing sports memorabilia donated by the former Red Sox manager to his alma mater.
“The Sports Complex project is very much an integral part of our educational philosophy, not simply an add-on or an extra, but essential to the making of a person,” said Pauline Dobrowski, Stonehill’s vice president for student affairs, in a statement at the project’s outset. “What is especially important to us with this expansion is that while it can and will benefit our athletes, it is not just for athletes, but a resource that every student can take advantage of. That is why we are so enthusiastic and supportive of the renovation and expansion.”
Stonehill College engaged Boston-based BOND, a full-service construction management and general contracting company, early in the design process, along with Watertown, Mass-based architect Sasaki Associates, to provide preconstruction and construction management services. BOND used both in-house Building Information Modeling (BIM) and laser scanning services to analyze the facility’s existing conditions, resolve design conflicts early, enhance efficiency and lower costs, according to a statement by the firm. Thanks to a fast-track 14-month schedule, the project was completed in time for the start of the 2015 academic school year.
“It is an honor for BOND to receive the CMAA Project Achievement Award,” said Robert Murray, BOND president, in a statement. “The design and construction of Stonehill College’s Sally Blair Ames Sports Complex was a true example of teamwork in action. The revitalized space offers lasting rewards for all members of the Stonehill community engaged in the recreational activities of the campus.”
The CMAA New England Chapter holds its annual Project Achievement Awards to recognize exceptional achievement in the New England construction management community.

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Fitchburg State University Dedicates Science Complex

FITCHBURG, Mass. — Fitchburg State University recently dedicated its new $57 million, LEED Silver Antonucci Science Complex, which provides laboratory, research and classroom facilities in a single location.

Composed of the newly renovated 45,000-square-foot Condike Wing (part of the Condike Science Building) and a more than 55,000-square-foot addition — including a 3,000-square-foot structure linking the two — the facility spans more than 100,000 square feet. The Condike Science Building was originally constructed in the 1960s, and was renovated and expanded to provide students with a new integrated science facility for the chemistry, biology, physics and geophysical science disciplines. Though the building itself was solidly built, its mechanical and electrical systems were past their prime and the structure was no longer suited for today’s science education.

Following the overhaul and expansion, the new Antonucci Science Complex includes modern, state-of-the-art classroom and laboratory amenities, as well as an auditorium-style lecture hall. The building’s design focuses on a “shared science” program that encourages collaborative approaches to science instruction.

The first new academic facility on the Fitchburg State campus since 1963, the complex was funded by the Commonwealth through the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance, designed by CBT Architects of Boston, and built by construction management and general contracting firm Bond of Everett, Mass.

Work on the complex began in 2010 and was completed in two phases. The topographically challenging site required extensive enabling prior to the construction of the addition, according to a statement by Bond. Once the facility’s expansion was complete, the construction team used the addition as swing space to allow for renovations. The design and construction teams worked collaboratively to deliver the project using Building Information Modeling (BIM). This facilitated the smooth integration of complex laboratory MEP systems into the building, and provided many budgeting, scheduling and constructability insights throughout the project.

“The Antonucci Science Complex epitomizes a 21st century atmosphere for learning,” said Robert Murray, Bond president, in a statement. “Bond is thrilled to provide the Fitchburg State campus with a modern building designed to match the ever-changing needs of the university’s scientific curriculum.”

Named after former Fitchburg State University President Robert Antonucci, who served in the role for 12 years before his June 2015 retirement, and wife Jeanne Antonucci, the facility is a testament to the couple’s commitment to the university. Much of President Antonucci’s tenure was devoted to improving campus facilities, infrastructure and technology through a number of capital improvement projects, and to developing an up-to-date strategic plan. Both President Antonucci and Jeanne Antonucci also earned degrees from the university.

“The science complex is a fitting symbol of President and Mrs. Antonucci’s leadership and service to Fitchburg State,” Board of Trustees Chairman Martin F. Connors Jr. said in an April 2015 statement. “Their devotion to the institution and its students is legendary, and we are honored that this magnificent building will bear their names.”

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Wake County to Seek $911 Million School Construction Bond

WAKE COUNTY, N.C. — Representing both the interests of taxpayers and education, school and city officials of Wake County met last week to decide fall election voters will determine if the areas schools will receive an approximately $911 million school construction bond.

The dollar amount was settled upon $911 million after a meeting between the Wake County Board of Commissioners and the Wake County Public School System Board of Education, though the board is still two months away from finalizing the number. The bond would fund the renovation of more than seven schools and the construction of six elementary schools, three middle schools and two high schools to support the growing student population in Wake County.

“You need to build schools to meet the number of students that are coming,” said County Manager David Cooke.

According to Cooke, the district is preparing for an influx of about 20,000 students over the next five years with about 3,500 to 4,000 more students attending district schools each year.

“I think the primary focus of the commissioners is to make sure there are seats for the growth in students,” Cooke said.

Other bond amounts positioned for consideration ranged from $663 million to $2.2 billion, the most highly desired amount by the school board. Cooke said the $911 million may change slightly, but it will be in the range of about $1 billion. The compromised amount would cost the average Wake County homeowner approximately $135 annually in property taxes, according to city officials.

The commissioners are very conscious of the tolerance of the community, Cooke said, and are more aware of how the public will react to their increased property taxes.

“Taxes are going up. Any of the scenarios are going to drive up the property tax rate,” Cooke said. “That’s really going to be a reaction that the public is going to make.”

The amount that will be used for renovations of existing schools and how much will be used to construct new schools is currently unknown, Cooke said, but trends in county referendums have shown that generally half the bond amount goes to new construction.

Christine Kushner, member of the Wake County Public School System Board of Education, said she’s excited about the county’s ability to bring funds to the school district and finding a compromise between updating facilities and taxpayer needs.

“I think it is mainly driven by the need and what the market can bear,” Kushner said.

Even with the recession, school populations have been growing, Kushener said, and the schools are beginning to feel pressure to find space to accommodate such a rapidly growing student population.

Kushner believes the school board will strike a compromise between school renovation and construction as well as taxpayer and property taxes.

“It’s fallen to be a good middle ground,” she said.

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Voters Pass $4.66 Billion for School Projects

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Voters in Washington recently approved $4.66 billion in maintenance and operations levies for school construction, as well as $507 million in bond issues and $816 million in capital projects.

The ratification of funds is good news for construction companies in Washington during a period when construction spending across the country is at its lowest in seven years.

Washington’s largest school capital levy was passed by the state’s largest district, Seattle Public Schools. Voters there approved a $270 million levy, of which about $140.5 million has been set aside for building improvements, with the remainder going toward technology and academic enhancements.

Nearly $50 million of the levy monies will be used to repair and reopen five elementary schools to meet a growing regional student population. In addition, $27.7 million of the building improvement funds will be used for energy efficiency projects at six schools, $18 million will go toward preventative maintenance, and $15.5 million will fund fire suppression and/or ADA and life-safety improvements.

Three schools in the Seattle Public Schools district will be upgraded with seismic improvements worth $13.2 million, while seven buildings will receive a total of $13.4 million in HVAC system improvements.

Other projects include:

• At the Shoreline School District north of Seattle, voters passed a $150 million bond measure to fund buildings to replace the 50-year-old Shorewood and Shorecrest high schools. The state will supply $35 million in matching funds for the two projects. School officials will seek general construction bids in mid-2011 for both schools. Bassetti Architects of Seattle is designing the Shorewood replacement, while Integrus Architecture of Seattle is providing architectural services for Shorecrest.

• Northshore School District voters approved $149.2 million in bond measure money. Approximately $72 million of the allocated funds will go toward constructing a three-story building with 49 classrooms and a new theater at Woodinville High School. Cornerstone General Contractors of Bothell is the general contractor for the project, while Studio Meng Strazzara of Seattle is the architect.

• At Kenmore Junior High, $25 million of the bond money is being used to construct 16 general education and science classrooms, a replacement kitchen and cafeteria, and music, shop, and technology areas. NAC Architecture of Seattle is doing the design work, and officials plan to open bids for general contracting in spring 2011. The Northshore School District will use the remaining $52 million for districtwide upgrades, ranging from HVAC system improvements to enhancements to track and tennis courts.

• Tacoma Public Schools will receive a $140.4 million capital levy, $51 million of which will be used to replace Baker Middle School and $48 million of which will go toward replacing Hunt Middle School. BLRB Architects of Tacoma is designing Baker, and officials will seek a general contracting bid in June. McGranahan Architects of Tacoma is designing Hunt, with construction starting sometime in summer 2013. A third facility in the district, Washington-Hoyt Elementary School, will receive $25 million in renovations.

• Voters in the Clover Park School District passed a $92 million bond, $38 million of which will be used to build a new Hudtloff Middle School. The state will contribute an additional $10 million to the project. Another $19 million in district bond money, plus $7 million in matching state funds, has been set aside for a new elementary school. In addition, a new $42 million Harris Preparatory Academy will be built to serve grades six through 12. Approximately $7 million in state funds are expected for the Harris Preparatory project.

• The Lake Washing School District and the Cheney School District approved an $83 million capital levy and a $79 million capital construction bond, respectively. Lake Washington will use the money for facilities and technology improvements at the district’s 45 buildings, which will begin in 2011. In Cheney, about $37 million in funds will help replace Cheney Middle School and build a second middle school. NAC Architecture of Seattle will design both projects, and officials hope to go to bid in early March 2011.

• The Bellevue School District and Everett Public Schools will receive capital levy funding. In Bellevue, $74 million from a five-year capital levy will be spent to upgrade and remodel Ringdall Middle School, repair the district’s transportation facility and replace tracks at four high schools, and will be used for other purposes as well. Everett voters set aside $48 million, including $11.2 million for building repairs, infrastructure upgrades and technology enhancements.

Other significant levies statewide that were approved include $38.55 million for Issaquah, $25.26 million for Olympia and $24.5 million for Mercer Island.

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