Valley teeming with school building and remodeling projects

By Linda Sievers
Special sections editor

The population boom in the Matanuska Valley continues, which means schools have to be ready for plenty of new students.

The list of school district capital improvement projects for 2000 and beyond covers remodels, additions and whole great big new buildings according to facilities director Michael Schwartz.

Opening this fall in the $7.7 million, 54,000 square foot Meadow Lakes Elementary School off Pittman Road. Schwartz describes this building as an updated version of the Goose Bay/Finger Lake/Tanaina prototype school. The front entrance was moved to the long front side for better people flow, there's a spacious waiting area for visitors and a conference room. Other changes include a better ventilation system and a more efficient enclosure for the library.

Schwartz said a second project , Ron Larson Elementary School, is based on the same design and will open in 2001. On the same completion schedule is the new Teeland Middle School, the first for the Valley. Schwartz described this project as the largest bond-funded school to be built since Colony High School in the mid-80’s. Plans call for tilt-up concrete panel construction and an open two-story cafeteria with upper windows to allow more daylight into the center of the building. Both of these schools will be located on Seldon Road.

One project that started earlier this year was the reconstruction and addition at Talkeetna Elementary School. Schwartz said about 60 percent of the old wooden school’s shell was reused in the project.

Pulling this job together required phasing in the work to allow part of the school to remain operational during the school year. So the oldest section of the school was left intact along with five portable classrooms. Then, in late March, students and staff were allowed to move into the new sections while the older structure was revamped. The addition included a larger gymnasium, new kitchen, stage and mechanical room.

Other upcoming projects include a new high school in Houston built on the existing site near the current school. Wasilla High School is also scheduled for a remodel with a new roof, improved communications systems and expanded kitchen facilities. And the district’s alternative school, Burchell High School, will be expanded to include a new multipurpose room, several classrooms and new kitchen.

©2000 Anchorage Daily News