Schools

Ellington Board of Education Once Again Sees Crystal Lake School Proposal

An architect from the firm working on the project presented an updated plan to the board.

On Thursday night, the members of the Ellington Board of Education got an in depth look at the proposed plans for .

After a presentation by Hugh Pearson, architect from Moser/Pilon/Nelson Architects, the board approved a motion to request that the town authorize the expansion and renovation at Crystal Lake School and the alterations at Windermere School.

“At this point, we’re trying to move this forward to the two bodies that would actually have the ability to send this to the voters,” Superintendent of Schools Stephen Cullinan said.

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Pearson’s presentation included several details about the expansion and renovation, the site on which the construction will be done, and the financial aspects.

Currently, the school has 29,600 square feet and the two-story addition will add approximately 18,350 more square feet. The school is currently a K-4 school, but it will be made a K-6 school.

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A couple of the goals on the site are to separate the bus and car loading zones, respond to poor sight lines, and improve and expand the parking.

The cars and buses will unload at different points, alleviating much of the current congestion. The buses will enter from the South Road entrance, loop around, and exit the same way. In order to improve on the sight lines, the Crystal Lake Road entrance will be an enter and exit to the East only driveway. More parking will also be added so that there will be ample space for visitors, staff, and people coming for special events.

The plan is to also move the school off the septic system and connect the school to the sewer system on Crystal Lake Road.

The classrooms will be improved, some spaces will be moved around within the building, and everything will be upgraded.

Pearson said that the school will receive a full renovation and will be considered a “like new” facility. The systems will be high performance, all codes will be complied with – or exceeded, and core facilities – such as the media center, gym, and cafeteria – will be given attention.

He said that some of the current play equipment might be salvaged, but that new playscapes would probably be installed.

The construction will be done in four phases – starting with the addition. The construction will be done while the building is occupied, but will be done with as little disruption as possible – including “quiet” times for testing – and as quickly as possible.

When – as well as the other elementary schools in town – become K-6 schools, will follow suit. The town’s pre-kindergarten program will move from over to the school. Currently, Windermere School is a neighborhood K-4 school and the district grade 5 and 6 school.

With this proposal, Windermere School will see some alterations. There will be no additions or site work – with the exception of perhaps a pre-kindergarten playground. The alterations will include changing classrooms around to better suit the grade that is in it, using current space more efficiently, and improving toilet and storage facilities.

“We’re trying to leave heating systems, lighting systems, fire alarm systems, plumbing systems alone so that we’re down to a simpler scope of effort and a shorter duration of impact,” Pearson said.

Following a standard progression, these projects could be done by the end of 2016. If an accelerated path is taken, that timeframe could be moved up to having completion by the end of 2015.

According to Pearson, the whole Crystal Lake School project would cost approximately $18.1 million dollars and the Windermere School project would cost approximately $2.5 million, adding up to a total of $20.6 million. With an approximate 50 percent reimbursement from the state for the buildings – plus an additional reimbursement for the site acquisition – the projects would cost the town around $10.1 million dollars.


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