Add as a preferred source on Google

Wisconsin District Completes $35M Middle School

  • By Matt Jones
  • 12/06/21

The Burlington Area School District in Burlington, Wis., recently announced that construction is complete on a new middle school. Karcher Middle School covers about 145,000 square feet and has a capacity of more than 700 students grades six through eight. The facility was designed by Plunkett Raysich Architects and built by general contractor and construction management company Scherrer Construction.

The new facility replaces the existing Karcher Middle School, which was built in 1924 and required so many upgrades that building a new facility was the more feasible option. The new school features amenities like modern security features, a gymnasium, fitness rooms and locker rooms, a library, staff office space and a cafeteria. It will also have dedicated classroom space for STEM, art, special education, band and choir.

“The Burlington Area School District continues to grow, and we’re excited to be able to help them do that with the best equipment and learning technology available,” said Dan Bay, senior project manager of Scherrer Construction. “As learning continues to evolve, Scherrer is proud to be at the forefront of creating enhanced learning spaces for children to excel in school.”

The new middle school is part of a larger plan to make improvements across the district. The design and construction teams, as well as the school district, also faced delays related to the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As is common for many companies in 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting supply chain issues continues to be a challenge in the building sector,” Bay said. “Delays in both materials and manpower impacted our overall schedule. however, due to our strong project team and communication efforts, we were able to hit critical milestones and still finish the project ahead of schedule. As a result of completing the project early, we were able to vet out any issues with the new facility prior to the owner taking occupancy.”

About the Author

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

Featured

  • University of Rhode Island, Gilbane Partner for Three New Residence Halls

    The University of Rhode Island in Kingston, R.I., recently announced a public-private partnership with construction development firm Gilbane, according to a news release. Gilbane will soon start construction on three new residence halls with a total of 1,100 beds: two with apartment-style suites in northwest campus, and a reconstruction of the Graduate Village Apartments for graduate students.

  • Tennessee State University Gains Approval for New Engineering Facility

    Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tenn., recently announced that it has received approval from the Tennessee State Building Commission to build a new engineering building on campus, according to a university news release. The 70,000-square-foot, $50-million facility will play home to the university’s engineering programs and the Applied & Industrial Technology program.

  • sapling sprouting from a cracked stone

    Lessons in Resilience: Disaster Recovery in Our Schools

    Facility managers play a pivotal role in how well a school weathers and recovers from a crisis. Whether it's a hurricane, a flood, a tornado, or a man-made event, preparation determines resilience.

  • Creating Long-Term Sustainability on College Campuses Through Fair Student Housing

    The quality of student housing can have a significant impact on an individual’s college experience. Today’s higher education institutions face mounting challenges, including declining enrollment, low retention rates between the first and second years, and a rise in student mental health concerns. Thoughtfully designed living spaces can help address these issues by creating environments that promote both academic focus and personal well-being.

Digital Edition