Ariz. High School Breaks Ground on 87,000 SF Expansion

Construction firm Adolfson & Peterson Construction broke ground this week on an expansion and renovation project for Douglas High School in Douglas, Ariz. The project includes four new, pre-engineered metal buildings covering 87,502 square feet, additional classrooms, and new athletics equipment and facilities, according to a news release. The school will also get a new fire lane, a newly paved turnaround drive for visitor access and a canopy shade structure. The project is set to cost about $27 million.

“We’re pleased to start construction on such a significant project for the community,” said Scott Salyer, AP’s Vice President of Operations. “While we’ve completed a slew of expansion and renovation projects within the Phoenix-Tucson metro area, this is our first in Southeast Arizona. We worked directly with [the Douglas Unified School District] and local subcontractors to ensure the best use of school and state funds, and we look forward to continue working with them throughout the construction process to deliver the project on time.”

Douglas High School renovation
Photo credit: Sketch Architecture

The new and upgraded facilities will include a new cafeteria, a renovated student commons area, a counseling department, 16 multipurpose rooms and science classrooms with lab space, and an area for DHS’ special needs students. It also includes room for the school’s Career and Technical Education programs as well as a theater for its performing arts program, as well as a new weights and athletics facility.

“As Superintendent, it brings great joy to know that this will be a place where our children will have the tools to realize their dreams and potential,” said DUSD Superintendent Ana Samaniego. “This groundbreaking event is symbolic of our state government’s commitment to educational excellence for every child and marks the beginning of a new era in how we educate our high school students in Douglas.”

Construction will begin in September and is scheduled for completion in the middle of 2022. The district is also partnering with Sketch Architecture as the design partner and Estimating Plus as the project manager.

DUSD Chief Financial and Operations Officer Cesar Soto said that the project is being fully funded by the school facilities board. “This is being done at no cost to the taxpayers,” he said.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • i-PRO, NovoTrax Partner for New School Emergency Response Solution

    i-PRO Americas, Inc., which manufactures edge computing cameras, recently announced a partnership with NovoTrax, provider of end-to-end life safety and mass notification solutions, to address gaps in emergency response workflows at K–12 schools, according to a news release.

  • Design Firm Populous Acquires Fentress Architects

    Design firm Populous, which specializes in sports and entertainment venues, recently announced its acquisition of Fentress Architects, based in Denver, Colo., according to a news release. Fentress’ primary focus is aviation projects and public buildings like museums, convention centers, and government facilities

  • Midland ISD Starts Construction on Two New High Schools

    The Midland Independent School District recently announced that it will break ground on two new high schools in Midland, Texas, according to a news release. The district is partnering with Pfluger Architects, Lee Lewis Construction, and Satterfield & Pontikes to create a total of over 1.5 million square feet for 8,400 students in grades 9–12.

  • Photo courtesy of Spiezle Architectural Group, Inc.

    West Melbourne School for Science Completes Expansion Project

    The West Melbourne School for Science, which serves students grades PreK–6 in West Melbourne, Fla., recently completed a 12,450-square-foot elementary school expansion, according to a news release.

Digital Edition