NEWS

Summer school for Wyoming construction project

Kelly McBride
kmcbride@communitypress.com
  • Wyoming Middle School construction on schedule
  • Check out photo gallery of progress

School is out for the summer, but work on Wyoming Middle School continues.

The $25 million renovation and expansion of the 87-year-old school is on schedule to be completed in December, with students returning from winter break to the new building.

A recent tour of the building revealed open work spaces, brighter classrooms and technology in place for an updated learning environment.

Historic components are being preserved while modern applications are being added.

The new building, which adds 47,545 square feet of new space to the 76,203 square feet of existing space, will include:

• four performing arts classrooms;

• two fine arts classrooms;

• wellness center;

• gym to seat 660;

• media center with two professional development rooms;

• outdoor learning labs;

• art gallery;

• four flexible learning spaces with soft seating; and

• an additional 19 small group rooms.

The updated building will keep the marble staircase and vintage water fountains, and the 10-foot windows will be completely uncovered, brightening the classrooms.

"I'm excited to honor the tradition of Wyoming Middle School, but move into the 21st Century," Middle School Principal Mike Overbey said.

The Wyoming School Foundation is leading a campaign to enhance six community spaces within the building, which will be available for community use, Overbey said.

The spaces include the art gallery, FAB lab, wellness center, professional development center, outdoor learning garden and Fay Auditorium.

The current renovation will include paint, cleaning and new sprinklers in Fay Auditorium, but updates weren't possible because of budget constraints. Additional fundraising or donations would make that possible, Overbey said.

"We're hoping to renovate with a new stage floor, technology booth, theater projector and digital capabilities," he said.

The school district will offer tours for the public in the fall, with a ribbon cutting in December.