Bond Project Update: September 2023
Thank you, voters!
This month marks the completion of our fourth major bond project funded by the 2019 School Construction Bond. Thank you, voters! Our fifth project is currently in construction, with two more in permitting and design, and another one just getting underway.
Elementary #19
Construction crews are already hard at work on the 66,000-square-foot building, which will be located in the Lipoma Firs Community. When it’s complete, the school will house about 500 students in 27 general classrooms and various shared spaces.
The constractor is making quick work of the new school with a recent early morning concrete pour and walls now going vertical.
The school’s official naming committee met for the first time this month and will be soliciting names from the community in early October.
New Naches Trail Elementary
The New Naches Trail Elementary is now open! Students moved into the new school on September 25th. The 77,000-square foot school is home to 41 general classrooms and 6 preschool classrooms.
Additional roadwork, sidewalk construction, and light/signal pole installation will continue into the fall.
Evergreen Elementary Expansion
The much needed expansion of Evergreen Elementary is now in permitting. This project will add 10,000 square feet to the school, that will include eight additional classrooms and a new commons. The team is planning for prep work to start in spring 2024.
The main part of the construction will take place once school gets out for the summer. The old Naches Trail Elementary will become home to the Evergreen Elementary staff and students for the 24/25 school year while the renovation and expansion of their school takes place.
Graham-Kapowsin High School Expansion
Construction is now complete on the Graham-Kapowsin High School expansion project, and the ribbon will be cut on October 7 during ABC Day!
The 33,000-square-foot expansion added a 16-classroom wing to the school, along with an auxiliary gym and weight room, a larger commons area and upgraded administrative spaces.
GKHS is also now home to a new School-Based Health Clinic, the construction of which was funded through a congressional award. This will bring medical, dental, and behavioral health services to students and the community at GKHS, Frontier Middle and Nelson Elementary.
New Bethel High School
There is a lot of excitement around the New Bethel High School Project, which is anticipated to begin in 2024, subject to permitting.
This spring we submitted our conditional use permits with the county. The project went before the Graham Land Use Advisory Commission in September, and that group recommend approval to the county Hearing Examiner in October. Once it gets underway, the construction timeline is 27 months.
Cedarcrest Middle School Expansion
Our construction team is currently conducting a Feasibility Study for the Cedarcrest Middle School expansion project to better realize the options available to them before starting the design work on the project. This study will help them assess the needs and budget parameters, so we don’t run into any issues along the way. This winter, the team plans to begin the educational specifications for the project.
Projects not funded by the 2019 Bond
The Evergreen building at the Pierce County Skills Center is being funded through a state grant through OSPI. The new building will house the Construction Trades and Fire Science programs. Construction is currently scheduled to begin this December with an anticipated completion in the fall of 2024.
Our construction team has also been busy with some capital projects not funded by the bond.
- Spanaway Lake High School — Exterior Painting
- Graham Kapowsin High School — Interior Painting (Common Areas)
- Frontier Middle School — Interior Painting (Common Areas) & Exterior Painting (Auxiliary Gym)
- Rocky Ridge Elementary School — Roof & Skylight Replacement
- Kapowsin Elementary School — Flooring Replacement (Common Areas)
- Child Nutrition & Transportation — Pavement Repairs
- Thompson Elementary School — Bus Loop Pavement Repairs
- Graham Kapowsin High School — Storm System Repairs
- Camas Prairie Elementary School — Select Portable Repairs
