Bond Update: General Construction Contract Awarded, Community meeting being planned

The Pelham Board of Education awarded a contract for general construction of the new Hutchinson School to Uni-Mak Construction at its meeting on Wednesday, February 12, paving the way for the project to begin in the coming weeks. The Board had previously awarded contracts for the new school’s electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and sitework contractors, as well as for the demolition of the current school at its last meeting on January 29. 

Representatives of Triton Construction Management and KGD Architects are working with the District and project contractors to finalize construction plans, including a project start date, work hours and other details. While those details are being finalized, staging of equipment and materials may begin on the Hutchinson site before the end of the month. At the meeting, the District’s construction manager told the Board that the target opening for the new school is fall 2021. A community meeting to share additional information and review the entire project with parents and Hutchinson neighbors is being planned for March, details for which are forthcoming. 

“The planning stage is finally winding down and we’re excited to begin building what will be a truly incredible school,” said Dr. Cheryl H. Champ, Superintendent of Schools. “We look forward to seeing this project, as well as all of the others from the 2018 Capital Improvement Referendum, blossom over the coming months and years as we seek to fulfill our commitment to the community and improve our physical plant for our students.”

The other bond projects are also progressing. Renovations at the high school and middle school, which include converting the current central office space into classrooms, renovating science labs, and creating a dedicated orchestra room, are set to begin in the spring with the bulk of the work happening this summer. Meanwhile, bids are being sought for bathroom renovations and an expansion of Prospect Hill, which will include a new security entrance and an elevator for accessibility.

Installation of a turf field and replacement of the tennis courts at the Glover Complex are slated to resume in the spring as warmer temperatures allow. Irrigation and renovation of the Prospect Hill field will be undertaken alongside the other work at that school.