Students returning to Grandview Elementary School in Bellevue this fall found a lot of changes happening in their building.
A $12.7 million renovation project is underway and will include upgrades to the HVAC and fire suppression systems, new flooring, new lighting, kitchen and cafeteria renovations along with updated learning spaces.
The first phase is a new school gymnasium, which was already taking shape this past summer.
“We’re really excited about it. When this project is complete, it will provide not only for our students, but also for the community,” said Bellevue Independent School District Superintendent Misty Middleton.
Middleton said that she is very excited for the new gymnasium in particular because it will “open up the opportunity for the school to host things community wide.”
Funds secured
The project was funded by the Kentucky General Assembly in 2022, but work started in June this year. The funding was part of an ongoing process provided to schools across the state, explained Middleton.
Every four years, each school district is required to present a long-range district facility plan to the state. The district meets with its board, architects, engineers and other contractors to review facilities and determine the district’s needs. The state determines priorities for each budget session, and in 2022, Bellevue got the funding it needed.
“The new gymnasium was one of those things that was on the facility plan, but it was also a need, because the current space that we’re using houses our cafeteria,” said Middleton. “It houses the gym and the auditorium all in one and so it really limits how [and when] we could utilize those spaces. It really hinders getting people into the building and having large enough space to host events.”
The original part of Grandview Elementary was built in 1966. Some renovation took place in 1970 and again in the early 1990s when a wing and the commons area were added. Space remains at a premium as the community grows. The school has 250 students in kindergarten through grade five and includes the district’s preschool program.
Opening up the space community-wide
By creating a new gym and renovating the cafeteria, the project will open up space for more extracurriculars and allow students to be involved in events outside of school. The school would also be able to host things like basketball tournaments or kids’ volleyball or things of that nature, she added.
“It’s just a bigger space so we can pull more of our people in, and we’re really looking forward to becoming a hub for the community — getting people into our building,” said Grandview Principal Dr. Susan Short.
Middleton praised the contractor, Perkins Carmack Construction, who she said has been working closely with the school to minimize disruption as much as possible.
“We’re working with them to make sure there’s little disruption to learning, Middleton said. “So the noise is under control, and that we have all the processes in place. So we’ve been meeting regularly to make sure that we’re all in understanding of what our needs are and there’s minimal disruption for students and our staff.”
Accommodations for this school year
Work on the second floor of the building also began this summer. To accommodate the construction activity, all classrooms are now located on the first floor using the commons area.
During the process, students will be able to use the current gym space located in the cafeteria area. Once the new gym is done, work will begin on the cafeteria and kitchen next summer.
While the new gym is taking shape outside one end of the school building, the playground equipment that was there had to be moved and is not usable. For recess and play, students instead walk to Brun Park, which underwent recent renovations, including new playground equipment.
“We’re very grateful to the city for allowing us the opportunity to use that — We’ve been working closely with them to make that happen,” said Short.
Middleton said in the meantime the school is working with the community and the city to try to address concerns that may arise due to the activity on site.
“ When you have construction, you have to bring patience and flexibility and an open mind,” the superintendent said. “And there will be times that we may experience some nuisances, but we can all work together to alleviate any issues.”
Looking ahead
The entire project is slated to be completed by the end of 2025. Plans for the future, beyond the immediate school community, include working with other local school districts as teams come in to play, as well as working with the city if needs arise, Middleton said.
Both Middleton and Short are keeping their eyes on the future.
“With the activities we can do in the gym, it’s only going to bring us closer the community and the school will become more of a focal point than ever, more of a hub,” Short said.
Middleton said, “I think it’s very exciting. It’s going to not only open up but transform the school on the inside and will be something that the community can be proud of for years and years and years to come.”