Bricklayer Don Messmer is tooling the mortar joints between bricks of the new entrance of the Academy of Science and Medicine located behind Central High School.
He’s part of a small crew working on the front of the building. Some are on scaffolds, others are at ground level.
They’re giving it its own entrance for the first time. Jason Woebkenberg, district chief communications officer, said this overall project will expand the popular program from 250 students, to 500 students.
“We're actually (standing) in a college-style lecture hall when it's completed, where so much learning will take place,” he said. “But, new and updated lab spaces. To have a top-notch science and medical-type program like we're offering here, you have to have facilities that support that type of teaching and learning.”
Much of the building is currently exposed cinderblock and cement floors; the grinding of metal and the beeping of ascending work platforms punctuate the din. Woebkenberg said this project is costing $10.6 million in General obligation Bonds.
While work is happening to the ASM, less exciting but still important work is being done to the parking curbs of Central High School.
Concrete Cement Masons are in the sun, working out the back of a truck on the curbs near the stadium.
They will do about 40 crumbling spots this summer. This is part of the regular maintenance, which includes deep cleaning the buildings.
The district also spent $613,000 on a new CHS turf track, Woebkenberg said.
“We want to make sure that it is a high-performance surface for all of our student athletes to compete on. So, really excited about that being completed. Harrison High School has a new turf field going in. We've had great success with turf fields for many years now, and it was time to upgrade the turf at Harrison.”
And this summer Enlow Field at Bosse High School is receiving several upgrades. There’s work happening all over the place in the stadium, inside and out.
“So much work taking place there,” Woebkenberg said. “Making them ADA compliant. New seating surfaces at Enlow, upgraded restrooms, new restrooms, complete redesign of those. It's going to make for better spaces for student athletes, but also better spaces for the community, for the spectators, for the family, and friends who come to support our students.”
This project is costing$6.3 million, also in general obligation funds.
Woebkenberg said they use a scientific approach to prioritize projects.
“They continually assess the conditions of our buildings to make sure that they are doing the upgrades, the improvements in the right order to meet the needs of all of our schools.”
“This is certainly the type of summer where there are some pretty large projects going on, including those that are very public facing rather than being on the interior of buildings.”
Also significant is heavy work at the Reitz Bowl. EVSC has reported completing a major renovation — new seating throughout, LED lighting, full accessibility upgrades, and more.
The first game is August 21 — Reitz vs. Harrison.
The Southern Indiana Career and Technical Center is now home to the recently completed cosmetology program space.
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