Millions in improvement projects are now underway at Nicolet High School

The construction of $77.4 million in facilities projects at Nicolet High School is now underway.

The school held a groundbreaking ceremony April 13 for the projects, which were approved in April 2022 as part of a $77.4 million facilities referendum for additions and renovations at the school. The projects will address safety, security and accessibility; building conditions and systems and learning environments, physical education and outdoor athletics, a school news release said.

Here's what those projects will look like.

Projects focusing on safety, security and accessibility: $9.4 million

These projects will include creation of a new, secure main entrance with improved and controlled visitor access.

They will also relocate district and community recreation department offices to improve community access, as well as make updates to restrooms, locker rooms, doors and an elevator to provide Americans with Disabilities Act access throughout the building, according to the school's website.

Projects addressing building conditions and systems: $26.09 million

These projects will include replacing heating, ventilation, cooling, electrical and lighting, plumbing and sanitary pipes, fire alarms and sprinkler systems, roofing, replacing and/or updating ceilings, flooring and lockers and removing lead and asbestos materials.

Some projects are aimed at improving learning environments: $31.08 million

To improve learning environments and physical education spaces, projects include renovating and reconfiguring science classrooms and labs; renovating and relocating classrooms "to improve collaboration between Engineering and Design, Family & Consumer Education, Business and Visual Arts classes"; renovating and relocating classrooms to better support future courses and career opportunities such as culinary, finance, construction trades, video and health/wellness; building manufacturing labs for woods, metals, autos and robotics; building a band room and performing arts support rooms for set design, recording and rehearsal.

Physical education and athletic spaces will also receive updates: $10.79 million

The physical education projects include expanding physical education/wellness areas and renovating the locker, weight and fitness rooms; renovating to create small and large group breakout and collaboration areas; and light renovations to other classrooms and learning spaces such as paint, flooring, ceilings and furniture updates, the school's website said.

Athletic space projects include constructing a multipurpose stadium with a synthetic turf field, track, restrooms, concession stand and seating for 2,500; 14 new tennis courts; a multipurpose synthetic turf field for soccer, lacrosse and physical education as well as discus and shot put areas and reconfiguration of grass practice fields.

What is the timeline for the projects' completion?

Construction on the outdoor athletic facilities began last fall, with a pause in winter before it picked up again earlier this spring. Aug. 1 is the estimated completion date, and the projects are on schedule, said Nicolet Union High School District superintendent Greg Kabara.

Inside the school building, temporary offices were set up, and limited demolition began during the school's spring break in March; work will continue this spring, Kabara said.

"Major project work will occur during summer 2023 and summer 2024, although demolition and construction will continue through the 2023-2024 school year," Kabara said.

The district expects the full building renovation and construction to be done in fall 2024. New additions could be completed as early as winter 2023 with teachers occupying the new additions in spring or summer 2024 for fall 2024 classes, Kabara said.

What companies are involved in the design and construction of the project?

Eppstein Uhen Architects helped with the design process over the last year, and JH Findorff & Son has recently started construction at the high school, "using a phased approach to allow for portions of the building to be completed from fall 2023 through fall 2024," according to a news release.

Rettler Corp. began the outdoor athletics portion of the project last fall by demolishing the existing tennis courts, track and football stadium.

"The design team that I work with, my team and our partners at Findorff and EUA, Rettler Corporation really to get this design done, on time, on scope and under budget - it's just been great. Compliments to students and staff for their flexibility as we go through temporary spaces. It's going to be fun for a while," Kabara said in an interview.

Contact Alec Johnson at (262) 875-9469 or alec.johnson@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @AlecJohnson12.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Construction underway on millions of dollars worth of Nicolet projects