Washington Elementary renovations almost complete
Renovations at George Washington Elementary School in Bethel Park included new lighting and colors in the classrooms.
The library at George Washington Elementary School in Bethel Park also got a noticible refresh.
The hallway in Bethel Park’s George Washington Elementary School is bright and colorful thanks to a summer renovation that also included a new HVAC system.
Renovation work at George Washington Elementary School is wrapping up, and Bethel Park School Board is poised to do it again, this time at Ben Franklin Elementary School.
The two schools are similar in size and the scope of work should be similar as well, according to Kevin Hayes of Hayes Design Group.
The George Washington project, which took place over the summer, included a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, as well as new ceilings, some floors and lighting fixtures. District custodians and contractors also painted the interior, which may have been the most noticeable change for students and teachers.
“Teachers are just delighted with the classrooms. They’re a lot brighter because of the new lights and they love the color,” said Superintendent Nancy Aloi Rose.
Cost to renovate George Washington School was about $3.3 million. However, the cost to complete similar work at Ben Franklin may differ and district officials will have a better idea of the cost when the project goes out to bid. One factor may lower the cost; the piping in the building’s heating system may not need to be replaced. At the Sept. 15 school board committee meeting, Hayes said the pipes are still in good shape at Ben Franklin but they needed to be replaced at George Washington.
Hayes Design Group was the architect on the George Washington project, as well as other district building projects in recent years. If the school board chooses to rehire the Bridgeville firm for the Ben Franklin project, the architectural fees will be up to $280,000. The board will consider rehiring Hayes at its regular meeting Sept. 22.
David Disque, the district’s construction manager, said workers are still finishing some smaller tasks at George Washington, but everything should be completely finished by mid-October. Most of the work is being performed during after school hours to limit disruption to the school day.
Some of the tasks that still need to be completed include: finishing the gymnasium floor, optimizing the climate control system, installing fencing around the air conditioning equipment on the outside of the building, placing new cafeteria tables and implementing a lighting control system to automatically shut off lights when rooms are not occupied.
In another matter, the school board may consider contracting with Ohio-based Side Effects Inc. to provide signs with the school logo and lettering on the fences of high school athletic fields. Bethel Park will pay nothing for the signs since Side Effects makes its money by selling advertisements on the banners. District officials will be able to review the advertisements before they are displayed.