Osceola Public Schools breaks ground on $7.7 million addition project
OSCEOLA, Neb. — Osceola Public Schools formally broke ground on a $7.7 million dollar addition to the elementary school on Sunday.
To kick off homecoming week early, they invited the community to celebrate the growth of their school.
The Osceola Public Schools Superintendent Steve Rinehart said the groundbreaking signals the start of a partnership to fulfill a community need.
“The community was so gracious in passing the $7.7 million bond earlier this year to improve our school. Adding a daycare to the school is an exciting development and will help us better serve our youth from birth through graduation,” said Rinehart.
The addition will extend south from the elementary school and will add approximately 26,000 square feet to the school campus. It will include the daycare to be built adjacent to the existing preschool, according to Osceola Public Schools.
In the design, an all-new kitchen facility with updated equipment borders a commons area and provides a separate concession stand to be used during school events.
According to Osceola Public Schools, the commons space functions as both a cafeteria and a gathering space for a wide variety of school activities and events and has been designed to link the activities entrance with the new competition gymnasium with seating for 1,000.
The gymnasium serves a multitude of purposes, notably enhancing the elementary physical education program and allowing more physical activity for students during inclement weather, as well as a public walking track.
Four locker rooms, an athletic training room, coaches’ offices, and a new parking lot with space for 125 vehicles round out the addition.
As part of the construction project, the elementary school will be renovated to create a main academic entrance with vestibule to provide a single, secure access point for visitors to the school during school hours. New offices, including a staff workroom, will position administration adjacent to the secure reception area.
Early work already performed this past summer included re-roofing the existing elementary school and the Osceola Auditorium, according to Osceola Public Schools.
“This project sends a strong message that we value our youth and we value the long-term vibrancy of our region. It’s incredibly heartwarming to be a part of the Osceola community and to be celebrating the improvements to our school,” said Rinehart.
Wilkins ADP is the project’s architect. BD Construction is serving as the construction manager.
