Poettker Breaks Ground on $25.5M Illinois High School Project
By SCN Staff
OLNEY, Ill.—Poettker Construction, a second-generation family-owned construction company, has been selected by Richland County Community Unit School District #1 (RCCU#1) in Olney as the construction manager of the Richland County High School (RCHS) addition and renovation project.
“Our community here with the Richland County School District is very excited about the new campus additions and renovation that will bring a modern learning environment to our 700-plus high school students,” said Chris Simpson, assistant superintendent of Richland County School District. “We are proud of our district and look forward to working with Poettker to bring these upgrades to our campus.”
The RCHS project is the result of a process that lasted several months and included numerous engagement sessions to gather input from the community. The result was a high school renovation and addition project that focuses on three main priorities: safety and security; accessibility; and modern learning.
In addition to updating safety standards and implementing a new, singular main entrance, the $25.5M project includes a new theater, cafeteria, common areas and an auxiliary gymnasium. The project has an estimated completion date of December 2020.
“Poettker has always been committed to bettering the communities where we live and serve, and that’s especially true for education projects,” said Jon Carroll, VP Project Management for Poettker Construction. “We are honored to be chosen to help this community enhance and update its public-school facilities.”
RCCU#1 serves approximately 2,400 students in pre-K through grade 12. The mission of the school district is creating a partnership with families to ensure a safe and engaging learning environment that provides students with opportunities for academic success, career readiness, life-long learning, citizenship and global awareness.
The final work packages will be bidding in the month of July 2019, with early work already underway to complete demolition and site work while students are on summer break.
Established in 1980, Poettker Construction is a second-generation, family-owned and veteran-owned business specializing in construction management, design/build, general contracting and self-perform services.
The design firm for the project is BLDD Architects.