Sherwood Elementary was host to the Springfield Contractors Association’s kick-off event for its annual Salute to Construction.
SCA names Project Team of the Year finalists
Emily Letterman
Posted online
Springfield Public Schools’ new Sherwood Elementary played host Oct. 22 to the 31st annual Salute to Construction kick-off and mixer.
The roughly $18 million elementary school built by DeWitt & Associates Inc. was the backdrop for around 45 industry representatives as Springfield Contractors Association President Brent Beattie announced the 2016 finalists for Project Team of the Year.
Submitted by the public and chosen by a panel of judges, the three finalists are the project teams behind Tri-Lakes Bio Solids, Kickapoo High School, Phase I, and Sherwood Elementary.
“These projects were chosen for their innovation,” Beattie said.
Following proclamation presentations by Sen. Jay Wasson, R-Nixa, Springfield Mayor Bob Stephens and Greene County Presiding Commissioner Bob Cirtin, attendees toured the 500-student elementary school, which features classroom pods, a 5,500-square-foot Boys & Girls Clubs unit and second-floor classrooms. Sherwood lead designer Brad McKenzie of Sapp Design Associates Architects PC said the nearly 80,000-square-foot building was designed to enhance collaborative learning.
“This building is net zero and nearly off the grid,” he said. “It also includes a (Federal Emergency Management Agency) shelter and the unique agreement with the Boys & Girls Clubs. It wasn’t smooth, it was a tight schedule and we had a lot of overtime, but the end product speaks for itself.”
The Project Team of the Year winner will be named during the annual Salute to Construction banquet, slated 5 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Ramada Plaza Hotel & Oasis Convention Center. The SCA also will name its Developer of the Year, along with the American Institute of Architects’ Craftsman of the Year and the National Association of Women in Construction’s Women of the Year. Springfield’s first Salute to Design and Construction was held in 1985 as one of a dozen “salutes" to various industry segments, including health care, military, agriculture and government, sponsored by the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. In 1988, the Salute Council took over the planning and implementation of the Salute to Design and Construction, according to the Springfield Business Journal archives.
The first southwest Missouri location of EarthWise Pet, a national chain of pet supply stores, opened; Grey Oak Investments LLC relocated; and Hot Bowl by Everyday Thai LLC got its start.
