SLIPPERY ROCK – During its Monday meeting, the Slippery Rock School Board engaged with two architects to delve into a comprehensive master plan aimed at renovating and upgrading the high school.
Mark Scheller from DRAW architectural firm, the first presenter, unveiled his vision for the school, emphasizing the optimization of space usage and addressing community concerns. Concurrently, Jon Thomas of Thomas and Williamson outlined the project’s cost breakdown and presented a timeline.
A notable aspect of the proposed renovation involves transforming the cafeteria into a food-court style, departing from the traditional school cafeteria setup. While this redesign may reduce seating capacity, plans include the addition of a cafeteria annex, featuring extra seating and a more courtyard-like ambiance. Discussions also touched on the possibility of incorporating recreational spaces like a cornhole area or a pickleball court for student use.
Another focal point is the introduction of a new school entrance designed to enhance security measures. This entrance would compel visitors to immediately check in at the office, providing an additional layer of safety.
The upgrade extends to creating more space for various clubs and activities. Dedicated rooms and additional storage areas are planned for the band and choral departments, along with the inclusion of a media lab for students to acquire 21st-century skills like editing and podcasting.
Proposed enhancements also encompass increased air conditioning capacity, addressing the current limitation in the number of rooms with this amenity at the high school.
The projected timeline for the renovation envisions construction commencing in June, taking advantage of the period when students are out of school, with completion slated for the summer of 2026. The estimated cost for the high school renovation comprises $22 million in hard costs and an additional $4.3 million in soft costs, covering fees and permits.