Last Tuesday, Mt. Lebanon commissioners approved the $113.2 million renovation of
Mt. Lebanon High School
in a 3-2 vote. The project has been subject to much debate since it was
proposed in 2006, following a feasibility study performed by
DeJong-Richter.
While controversy has stemmed from the cost of the project, its
proponents argue that the 83-year-old high school suffers from outdated
infrastructural systems, limited classroom space and technological
resources, and a generally inefficient layout, and that the renovation
is necessary to bring the school into the 21st Century.
"It's
a combination of new construction and renovation of existing space. The
new construction is going to include a new academic wing along Horsman
Drive and a bridge that will connect the academic center to the new
field house," says Cissy Bowman, director of communications for The Mt.
Lebanon School District. "The field house will have one central gym, two
auxiliary gyms, and a new eight-lane pool."
Within
the next six weeks, the District will finalize documents in order to
put the projects up for architectural and construction bid, and ideally
ground will be broken by May. The new facilities will target LEED
certification, and renovations will correct many current issues, such as
failing heating systems, outdated roofs and windows, and a lack of
handicapped accessibility. The construction will be carefully phased in
order to prevent educational disruption.
"The
goal has always been that we're going to be housing students in
different sections of the high school as we build these new buildings.
There was a very clear desire from parents that they did not want
trailers. So, we're going to be building certain sections of the project
first and then moving students to different parts of the building.
There will be a phased construction process that will last about 48
months," says Bowman.
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Writer:
John FarleySource: Cissy Bowman, Mt. Lebanon School District
Image courtesy of Mt. Lebanon School District