Campus Renovations

Minnesota Middle School Begins $24M Renovation, Addition Project

• By Matt Jones
• 08/08/23

Construction firm Kraus-Anderson recently announced that work has begun on a $24-million renovation project for Central Middle School in White Bear Lake, Minn., according to a news release. Additions will total 108,000 square feet and include a new gym, a new fitness area, an expanded cafeteria and kitchen, and renovations to the former district office space to add new classrooms. Construction is scheduled for completion in late summer 2025.

The school district also partnered with Wold Architects and Engineers for the project’s design. Further improvements will include updates to classrooms, the media center, learning commons and flex areas, safety and security updates, and long-term facility management upgrades.

The Central Middle School renovation is just one of many projects included in a $326-million building bond that voters in the White Bear Lake Area School District approved in 2019. Kraus-Anderson is also nearing completion on another project that was part of that bond—$5.8 million in additions and expansions to Oneka Elementary School.

“Kraus-Anderson is proud to be working with the White Bear Lake Area School District on numerous schools that fall under this extensive referendum,” said Kraus-Anderson senior project manager AJ Lillesve. “The overall, multi-year project is addressing enrollment growth, updating aging facilities, and creating flexibly designed learning spaces to support student-centered instruction.”

The news release reports that projects currently underway include a $225-million, 595,000-square-foot addition to White Bear Lake Area High School; as well as $5.2-million and 14,500 square feet in renovations to the White Bear Lake Area Learning Center. Completed projects include the construction of a new elementary school and district transportation facility, as well as additions, renovations, and upgrades to seven other district elementary schools.