Construction work underway for high school renovations in Indian Prairie District 204.
The Indian Prairie District 204 School Board has approved major renovation contracts for Waubonsie Valley High School and Neuqua Valley High School. Awarded to Pepper Construction Co. and Bulley and Andrews, these projects aim to enhance educational facilities and accommodate increasing student enrollment. Funded by a $420 million bond sale, renovations include auditorium updates, new classrooms, and improved sports facilities, as well as extensive enhancements across the district. The initiative represents a significant investment in the future of education for students.
The Indian Prairie District 204 School Board has officially approved contracts with two construction management firms to oversee significant renovation projects at Waubonsie Valley High School and Neuqua Valley High School. These contracts were unanimously approved during a recent board meeting on Monday, and they mark a significant step towards enhancing the educational facilities in the district.
The contracts were awarded to Pepper Construction Co. for Waubonsie Valley High School and Bulley and Andrews for Neuqua Valley High School, as well as the Birkett Center. This decision follows a successful vote in November, where residents expressed strong support for the district’s plan to sell up to $420 million in bonds aimed at funding various facility improvements across the school district.
As part of this expansive renovation initiative, both high schools will undergo substantial upgrades over the summer. At Waubonsie Valley, a notable project will see $7.6 million allocated for an upgrade to its auditorium. This improvement is part of a larger scope of renovations funded by the bond sales, which encompass repairs and enhancements throughout the district’s facilities.
The renovations at Neuqua Valley High School will not only improve the school environment but will also prepare it for the anticipated increase in student enrollment. An expansion is planned to accommodate freshmen by 2027, paving the way for the Birkett Center to be repurposed for additional district programs. Among these programs, the center will host the STEPS program (Supportive Training Experiences Post-Secondary) specifically designed for students with special needs, as well as the Gail McKinzie High School and a new welcome center.
Pepper Construction’s responsibilities will include supervising multiple phases of renovation and improvements at Waubonsie’s athletic stadium, ensuring that all elements are executed efficiently and effectively. Meanwhile, Bulley and Andrews will manage updates at Neuqua Valley, focusing on enhancing the main entry, creating new classrooms, and renovating various wings of the building.
Additionally, Neuqua Valley will gain a state-of-the-art synthetic turf field, further enriching the sporting facilities of the school. The renovations at Birkett will primarily focus on the STEPS and Gail McKinzie centers, which will receive updates to modernize education and career training resources, ultimately better serving the student population.
The architectural aspects of all projects are being handled by Wight and Co., ensuring the designs meet both educational and functional needs. The summer renovation projects don’t stop at the high schools; approximately $40 million will also be directed toward updating original structures and systems throughout the district, including flooring, roofing, and paving.
In a significant move to bolster culinary education, Neuqua Valley’s Foods Lab is scheduled for a $944,000 renovation aimed at enhancing the facilities available for culinary students, ensuring they have access to the latest tools and technology.
The approved construction contracts are part of a comprehensive approach to improving educational facilities in District 204. With these renovations, the district is not only investing in the physical space but also in the quality of education and support it can offer to its students. This initiative marks the beginning of a new phase for the schools, aiming to create better learning environments for all students within the district.
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