NEW WEST SPRINGFIELD HIGH SCHOOL GROUNDBREAKING

January 5, 2012

The official groundbreaking for the new West Springfield High School (WSHS) took place on Thursday, December 15, at 10:00 AM. Project Cost is estimated at $107.1 million, and is expected to be completed by the summer of 2015. Part of the School District's Master Plan, the new school building has been designed to accommodate 1,200 students in grades 9 through 12.

The ceremony included a welcoming address by Mayor Edward Gibson, who serves as the chairman of the School Committee. Also on hand to speak were Interim Executive Director of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Jack McCarthy; School Superintendent Russell Johnston; Town Council President Kathleen Bourque; State Sen. James Welch, D-West Springfield; State Rep. Michael Finn, D-West Springfield; former State Sen. Stephen Buoniconti, D-West Springfield; and David Partridge, chairman of the Town's Planning and Construction Committee, which has oversight of the project.

The existing school, on a 64-acre site, comprises approximately 279,000 sq ft, originally constructed in 1955, with a large addition in 1965. This addition was built amid several existing structures, and resulted in a school campus with multiple levels and a labyrinth of connecting corridors. Because West Springfield has been invited to participate in the MSBA's Model School Program, the project involves adapting and constructing a model school design on the site and then demolishing the existing building. The design is being completed by SMMA building upon their successful Hudson High School and Tewksbury High School model. The phased program will accommodate uninterrupted continuity of school operations, including athletics, throughout construction.

The final design solution, agreed upon by WSHS and the MSBA, will include 257,000 gsf of a new high school, two new multi-sport fields, and parking for 400 vehicles. In addition to the base project, the Town decided to reconstruct the existing track and field complex, construct a new natatorium/swimming complex and maintenance facility, as well as construct six new tennis courts. The new design takes into consideration the Massachusetts High Performance Green Schools Guidelines, and is cognizant of all available energy-saving opportunities. The project is expected to be LEED-Silver certified by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The MSBA Model School Program seeks to effectively adapt and re-use the design of successful, recently constructed elementary, middle, and high schools. Model Schools are efficient in design and easy to maintain, contain optimal classroom and science lab space, can easily accommodate higher or lower enrollments, incorporate sustainable, "green" design elements when possible, and are flexible in educational programming spaces while encouraging community use.

Strategic Building Solutions (SBS) (Agawam, MA) is serving as the Owner's Project Manager (OPM) on behalf of the Town of West Springfield, through its Planning & Construction Committee, and is working closely with the Superintendent of Schools, the West Springfield School Committee, the school district's staff, and the MSBA. "We are excited to be working closely with the Town of West Springfield and the School Committee on this important project, for the success of its students and the Town's investment in its future. Originally founded to serve educational facilities, SBS will bring our strengths, insights, and experience to help achieve a successful outcome" said Jonathan Winikur, Principal and co-founder of SBS.

As the OPM, SBS is providing comprehensive project management services to monitor procurement procedures, design, construction, and other related activities, to facilitate, coordinate, and manage the project. Well familiar with the MSBA program, and having successfully served as OPM for numerous projects similar in nature, SBS is assisting the Town in navigating the protocols and processes required. SBS is overseeing and coordinating all activities with the selected architect, Symmes, Maini & McKee Associates (Cambridge, MA), and its subconsultants, as well as the selected general contractor, Fontaine Brothers (Springfield, MA).

About Strategic Building Solutions, LLC Strategic Building Solutions (SBS) was founded in 1996, and has grown to a firm of over 60 people, with offices in Madison, CT; Agawam, MA; New York, NY; Washington, DC; and Harrisburg, PA. The firm was founded by well-experienced facilities management experts to specialize in services on behalf of the owner. Advocacy and service to owners is the firm's mantra. SBS provides comprehensive owner's project management, energy management, commissioning, retro-commissioning, facilities planning, and facilities conditions assessments services. The firm's talented, experienced staff includes licensed industry professionals in the areas of architecture, mechanical and electrical engineering, experienced construction managers and contractors, and facilities managers. SBS does not provide construction or design services. Rather, we review, monitor, plan, manage, assess, and diagnose, all on behalf of the owner.

Go Back

Web Site Design: FATHOM