The first major milestone included pouring the primary foundations and having the underground infrastructure underway. Elevator pits, footings, and technology duct banks had to be completed before vertical construction could advance. Since then, assembling masonry and installing structural steel commenced, which began to visually define the spaces and make the buildings more recognizable.

Like all construction projects of this size, the site is scheduled in stages, and progress varies by area.

• Building A – Academics, Media Center, Student Dining, Main Mechanical Room, and Administration
• Building B – Athletics: Competition and Auxiliary Gymnasiums, and Natatorium
• Building C – Arts: Performing Arts Center and Music Spaces

“Steel erection is probably one of the most noticeable milestones because the building suddenly starts gaining weight,” Jamie said. “After the masonry goes up and the steel is in, the spaces that looked like floor plans become three-dimensional.”

At this stage, some spaces are more recognizable than others. One area that has been developing rapidly is student dining. “Every week I go out there, I’m amazed how much progress is being made,” Jamie said. One of her favorite parts of her job is walking the site and seeing the progress. “It’s really taking shape, and you can begin to see how cool that space is going to look. You can orient yourself in the building now, and you can tell where the learning stair and courtyard are going to be. It’s happening really quickly.” The completed student dining is approximately 9,200 SF.

Currently, the competition and auxiliary gymnasiums and pool are less noticeable from a distance. Concrete foundations, masonry construction, and markers around the perimeter help define the size of those spaces. When completed, the competition gymnasium will be approximately 17,000 SF with 1,750 seats. The auxiliary gymnasium will occupy approximately 19,000 SF with 459 seats.

Though there does not appear to be much physical progress, coordination, design, and planning continues on the gymnasiums. “Rhonda Franklin is our interior designer, and she’s working with the school district to select colors for the track and the gym floors,” Jamie explained. “Do they want a stained wood look or painted floors? Where do the logos go and what will the fonts look like? Those decisions are still being worked out.”

Various color and texture samples have been ordered so the owners can see and feel what these materials will be like in the finished spaces. “There’s something very meaningful about seeing those options in person,” Jamie said. “The district is really excited to see all of this come together.”

“The performing arts center is one of the more technically complex spaces because so many specialty systems have to work together,” Jamie noted. “It’s not just structure and finishes. You have theatrical rigging, lighting, acoustics, MEP systems, and architectural elements that all need to be coordinated and come together.”

The performing arts center foundation concrete was recently poured, further defining the space with a full-sized wall of masonry existing on one side. The completed auditorium and stage area will be approximately 18,400 SF and house 1,610 seats.