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Marple Newtown High School Renovations Project -- Project History & Description

Project Home Programmatic Upgrades Layout

Project History: 

Over the past year, the School Board has interviewed professionals to assist the District in a significant High School upgrade project. Following the selection of a local Architectural Firm and Construction Management Firm this summer, the District and its team:

• Created an Educational Specification that envisions the future of education at Marple Newtown High School, based on the visions of the School Board, Superintendent and Administration,
• Determined priorities for significant programmatic upgrades,
• Confirmed the required population to be accommodated by the High School through an enrollment study, and
• Aligned schematic design options with the High School Educational Specifications to meet a project budget of approximately $70 million.

In the last months of 2008, the School Board approved a plan of full renovation, minimal removal and appropriate additions for Design Development. This plan fits the budget and meets the needs of the outlined Educational Specifications and Program Vision.

The next steps include discussions with the township, discussions with the neighbors and community, and continued design to allow for construction to begin in 2009.

The District is fortunate to have the opportunity to take an intensive view of the entire high school program and provide
cost-effective renovations and additions for all programs. The current economy has placed the District in a “buyer’s market.”

Since we are currently in the planning phases of this exciting project, we can take advantage of the market. It is likely
that the District will receive significant construction value for each dollar spent due to the existing market conditions.

Project Description:

The District is planning to upgrade the entire High School with this renovations and additions project. We can minimize additions by reutilizing the existing building space in the most efficient manner possible. The additions will include:

Academic ProgramAdditions of six (6) classrooms,

Performing Arts Program Additions including new band, chorus and orchestra rooms, additional dressing room space, and new rest rooms at the auditorium, and

A new kitchen, cafeteria, culinary arts program and mechanical space/loading area.

Also, renovations will provide for updated classrooms and science labs that are adequately sized for the educational program, a relocated media center/library, a relocated applied arts suite, a renovated auditorium, an expanded and renovated gymnasium and relocated cardio/weight training areas near the gym. The exterior of the building (masonry, windows and roofing) will also receive significant replacement and upgrades. Modifications to the High School site will be minimal; parking will be retained or improved. The most recent upgrades, to the locker room and the classroom additions from earlier this decade will be reused in place with only building system upgrades, such as fire protection and HVAC controls in these areas.

The project construction will begin in late 2009 and be completed by the end of the summer, 2012. The renovations and additions will occur in phases while the building is occupied by staff and students.