Sundt to Build New Delalio Elementary

May 14, 2014 1905 Views AWA Business Corporation, Beck Academic Hall, CEFPI Annual Conference, Eastern U.S., green building certification, Kingsolver-Pierce Elementary School, LEED schools, RS&H, S.M. Wilson, The Hon Company, Waukesha

NEW RIVER, N.C. — Sundt Construction Inc. and its joint venture partner United Builders Group have been selected as the prime contractor to build the new Delalio Elementary School at Marine Corps Air Station New River in North Carolina. The school is a project of the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA).

The $23.3 million phased project will include construction of a modern, two-story, 66,400-square-foot facility with plenty of flexible and adaptable spaces. Woolpert North Carolina PLLC of Charlotte provided planning and design services for the new school, which is part of the DoDEA 21st Century Education Initiative.

According to Woolpert, this initiative focuses on “providing students with school environments that support flexible and adaptable spaces that are critical for teaching and learning.” Woolpert adds that these cutting-edge schools take into consideration innovations in education, curriculum delivery, use of technology and growing expectations for sustainability and energy conservation.

In keeping with the initiative’s goals, the new Delalio Elementary will include several 21st century learning neighborhoods, an information center, a centralized commons/dining/performance space, and an art studio. The school will also offer a number of general purpose classrooms, a technologically-driven computer lab, and a special education classroom. New counseling areas, teacher work rooms and supply areas, and administrative offices will further improve operations and functionality.

Several related infrastructure projects, such as the addition of new parking areas, playgrounds, mechanical rooms, delivery areas, covered walkways, landscaping and utilities will also be included in the construction process.

The new school will connect to the recently constructed gymnasium and music room addition. However, all other existing facilities will be demolished. The current Delalio structure is nearly 50 years old, and offers cramped classrooms, inadequate facilities and a poor overall configuration. The inefficient design fails to meet current DoDEA Education Facilities Specifications, and utility and maintenance costs are excessive. With numerous ADA code violations and no fire suppression system, the building poses numerous risks for students and staff, and many maintenance issues are no longer repairable.

Luckily, the current school site is large enough to accommodate new construction with minimal impact to students and staff. The older facility will be demolished upon completion of the new, allowing crews to then wrap up any necessary connection or site work.

Construction for the new school, which was designed to meet LEED Silver certification requirements, began in April 2014. It is scheduled for completion in May 2017.