A feasibility study was recently completed on the main building of Rupert Elementary School. The study, which was conducted by Vannostrand Architects, provides detailed information as to the current condition of the building, as well as offering reuse recommendations complete with design concepts for a new health clinic and rehabilitation housing.
According to Vannostrand’s study, “The school is in good shape but will require some upgrades to address space needs, code deficiencies, electrical issues, a new elevator and fire sprinkler-system. The estimated cost of the project is about $1.95-million. That includes the complete renovation of interior spaces on all three floors.”
Matthew Ford, President of the Greenbrier Environmental Group, and member of the Meadow River Valley Association, says that right now they are in the early planning stages of the renovation project.
“We’re (Meadow River Valley Association) the overall project manager. We’re trying to decide if we want to remain in that position, or bring in another project manager,” Ford said. “But we’re leaning towards the association being the developer on this. That way all of the labor and the jobs that are created by the project can be of a benefit locally.”
Currently, the campus consists of six buildings, three of which are used for early childhood education.
“With this project, it’s important that the rest of the campus is compatible with the renovations. So whatever we do has to work with what’s currently there,” Ford said. “We aren’t changing the early education buildings, the middle school or the high school.”
Although it is very early into the project, Ford hopes that all renovations will be completed within three years.
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