Wingate Elementary School, Shiloh, Poettker Construction Co.
Spotlight on Southwestern Illinois: Commercial Construction
Wingate Elementary School, Shiloh, Poettker Construction Co.
By KATE GENO
Mascoutah Community Unit School District 19 selected Poettker Construction Co. as the construction manager of its new 83,510-square-foot school in Shiloh. The newly designated Wingate Elementary School is scheduled for completion in summer 2015.
Due to the increasing population, the district needs a third elementary school to accommodate its kindergarten through fifth grade students. An alternate bid waiting for approval from the school district could include another classroom wing to increase the school size to 112,770 square feet.
Site development started in November 2013. Operations included grouting mines located 149 feet below the project site to solidify and stabilize the ground for building.
“This project needed extensive site work including mine mitigation,” said Project Manager Jonathan Carroll. “An increasing number of sites need mine remediation due to the age of the mines in this region.”
Designed by FGM Architects, the $27 million elementary school consists of three (possibly four) “houses” with connecting hallways. The two-story houses feature a brick and stone façade with light stone/dark brick banding and glass storefront curtain walls.
There will be 24 classrooms total. Each house will include an extended learning classroom at its center for students to work on experiments and activities.
One house will hold the cafeteria and full-service kitchen, gymnasium, multi-purpose room, and stage area. Removable partitions will enable these individual areas to become one large space.
The elementary school will also include a two-story media center, two computer labs, seven administration offices, occupational/physical therapy rooms, eight storage areas, mechanical and electrical rooms.
“Mascoutah School District is focused on advancing technology to create dynamic learning environments for students,” said Carroll. “Wireless access points will be located throughout the buildings and smart boards will be available in each classroom.”
The interior design is bright and colorful. Dry marker surfaces for writing will be placed on walls throughout the buildings. Open structure ceilings in the extended learning classrooms will be ideal for hanging artwork and projects. Classrooms will have modular furniture to rearrange as needed.
In the past five years, Poettker Construction has completed and is currently working on more than $75 million in K-12 education construction.