Late Summer Update on Brunswick's New High School

Exciting progress has been made on the Brunswick Construction Project over the summer months. As students go back to school, the project will continue with masonry block and steel installation being a primary focus. 

The Brunswick City Schools Construction Project continues to make significant strides this summer, offering the community a tangible glimpse of its future learning environment. Following the successful completion of the early site work in April and May, the project has entered a crucial phase of vertical construction, which has been accelerated by favorable summer weather.

The initial foundation work went extremely well, with construction teams reporting virtually no soil condition issues. This smooth start has been a significant asset, allowing the project to proceed on schedule. "Every new school sits on a solid foundation, but the speed and efficiency with which our team laid the groundwork has been a huge boost to the entire project," said Derrick Semilia, Brunswick's Project Executive for Hammond Construction. "Installing the foundations has gone extremely well. We've had very little trouble with soil conditions. Everything just went seamlessly."

With the overall building foundations set, construction teams have been able to focus primarily on erecting the masonry bearing structure. Derrick continues, "We have a 40-50 man crew at the moment and are actually adding more workers as we get farther along in our coordination drawing process." 

Over the next two months, the community can expect to see masonry walls rising across the site as crews work to lay as much block as possible before the winter months.

To manage the large-scale project, the structure is segmented into seven areas. Sections 1-3 comprise the two-story academic space, while Sections 4, 5, and 7 include high-bay spaces like the gymnasiums and kitchen areas, and Section 6 is the auditorium. "The segmentation of the building is a key part of our strategy," said Derrick. "It allows us to tackle construction in different areas simultaneously, ensuring we stay on track to meet our deadlines."

Sections 4, 5, and 7 will be enclosed this year, with steel installation scheduled to begin in August and September. The community will start seeing the steel erected on the new school, which is a big visual milestone for the project. The two-story academic wings, comprising Sections 1, 2, and 3, will also see progress, with staircases and elevator shafts being built. 

The steel will be placed using a high-altitude crane now onsite. This is a highlight for Derrick, "Having the crane on the construction site is exciting, and seeing it move around the side is one of the most fun parts. I still feel like a little kid watching it work."

With the new school year beginning soon, student and staff safety is paramount for the district. The construction site is fully fenced off, with contractors using dedicated entrances that separate traffic and ensure a safe and undisrupted learning environment for students at the existing high school. There should be little to no disruption from crews during the academic year, and the site will operate independently from those daily functions.

For those who are interested, a live construction camera was installed for the community to view the progress in real time.

The new high school offers a modern, 21st-century educational experience, featuring a 1,000-seat auditorium and a competition gymnasium. The design of the new high school will provide students with a cutting-edge educational environment, easier travel between classes, and collaborative shared spaces. It is tailored to the district's operational needs and aims to equip students with the skills they will need after graduation. The project is expected to be completed in time for students to occupy the new campus in August 2027.