A large renovation project at Bellefontaine High School has made significant progress in recent weeks, in preparation of the new school year, which begins Sept. 6.
The specific components of the project include: replace an outdated chiller, add cooling to the high school gym, replace aging piping, remodel restrooms, replace two sections of the roof (library and center classrooms), new doors and windows, flooring and building controls.
The project is funded by Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief II funds from the federal government, which will lead to energy and maintenance savings for years to come, will provide a cleaner indoor environment, a healthy learning environment, extend the life of the building and avoid future capital costs, district officials noted.
Crews started the large cooling project at BHS in late May. Nearly all univents on the first and second floor are plumbed and complete. The new chiller should arrive by the end of the week.
Waibel Energy Systems from Vandalia is planning to have a crane on site, along with plumbing and electrical trades available to connect the unit and get it set up to operate as quickly as possible.
There will be a fair amount of system testing and balancing to get it operating efficiently in the high school, officials noted.
There are two classrooms that are slightly “off the beaten path” of the classroom corridor that still need final connections made to new univents.
Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief II funds from the federal government will pay for the project, which will provide healthier air and increased energy efficiency.
The new chiller system will cool the original 35 classrooms at BHS. That portion of the high school was built in 1968.
Upon completion, each classroom will have individual temperature controls.
The new equipment will incorporate CO2 sensors, fresh air, and ionization for a healthier air environment for students and staff.
There’s another project happening at Bellefontaine High School. Water testing by the Logan County Health District was completed last week. All numbers came back well within acceptable ranges. Water softeners were brought back online and all water systems were officially completed and open for use.
All variable air volume component installations are complete, along with new controllers and individual room temperature sensors. This also includes web-based integration for each device that will provide tracking and graphics for each space. All affected piping and ductwork modifications were re-insulated during the project.
With all crawlspace piping finished, insulators completed work to wrap all new piping in those affected areas.
All new chilled water lines that will provide cooling to gym air handlers have been installed into the four corners of the gym with valves, then capped off. The repairing of piping will occur next summer when the air handlers are installed. This piece of the project was not possible this summer due to supply chain issues with receiving the equipment in time to complete prior to school starting next month.
All restroom renovations associated with the project are complete, and flooring projects have wrapped up as well, including the high school office.
Roofing work associated with the project also has concluded. A 20-year warranty has been signed by the manufacturer after inspecting the contractor’s workmanship.
Also, a flooring project at Bellefontaine Intermediate School started in May. Crews removed carpet in 10 classrooms.
The carpet was replaced with a rubber floor, similar to the floors at Bellefontaine Elementary School and Bellefontaine Middle School. The rubber floors are easier to clean and disinfect.
The flooring was recently replaced in the office/administration area at BIS.
ESSER III funds will also pay for the intermediate school flooring project.