Ellwood City Area School District Begins Capital Improvement Projects

According to a press release from the district, Ellwood City Area School District capital improvements have begun throughout the district.

As part of an extensive capital improvement project that includes work at all four district buildings, the most visible project is underway. The district is replacing the track surface and installing turf at Helling Stadium.

“The track surface was lifting and was no longer safe and the addition of turf to the football field will allow us to expand the use of the field to so much more than just football. We are excited to get this project started,” said Dr. Wesley Shipley, Superintendent.

However, the district projects are far more than the work being done at Helling Stadium.

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Gary Rozanski, Ellwood City School Board Vice-President and Chairperson of the Buildings and Grounds Committee said, “We were faced with correcting years of deferred maintenance on our buildings. So, we worked with HHSDR Architects to develop a plan to meet the needs throughout the district.”

The projects include mechanical improvements, such as new boilers, electrical and plumbing upgrades, new lighting and windows as well as improved heating and cooling at all buildings.

Work has already begun at North Side Primary School and Hartman Intermediate.

Soon, the board will be reviewing plans for a comprehensive addition and renovation at Perry Lower Intermediate school. This project will include the addition of new classroom space to house expanded Special Education programs as well as a complete renovation of the existing structure. This project is targeted to begin during the 2022-2023 school year and will be completed over three phases lasting into the next year.

The projects will conclude at Lincoln Jr./Sr. High School where a lot of the work will be done above ceilings and behind walls. This project will be an extensive overhaul of the mechanical systems of the nearly 100 year-old building.

Board President, Mrs. Jean Biehls said, “Our goal is to improve the learning environment for our students and make sure our buildings are warm, safe and dry. These projects will set the district up to have more efficient buildings, to catch up on much needed improvements, and to have the best possible learning environment for our students.”

Money to complete these projects was secured through two separate bond issues totaling approximately $25 million.