Weaver Elementary breaks ground for expansion

Springfield Public Schools on Wednesday held a groundbreaking ceremony for the school’s $5.6 million expansion and renovation – one of 25 district projects funded by the $96.5 million bond initiative that voters approved in April 2006.

An addition to the school will add classrooms for the fifth grade students currently studying in trailers near the school, as well as for music, art and computer science classes, which are taught by teachers who don’t have permanent rooms. The addition should be complete in August 2008.

Renovations will be made to the existing school building, 1461 N. Douglas Ave. Air conditioning will be added, and the kitchen and serving areas and teacher workroom will be updated. Those changes are scheduled to be finished by the end of 2008.

Following the renovation, Weaver also will have room for community meetings and after-school programs, and it will eventually link to nearby Grant Beach Park as the latest “school-park” under a partnership between the school district and Springfield–Greene County Parks Department.

DLR Group designed the project, and Flintco was awarded the construction bid in July.