$8 Million Triadelphia Middle School Renovation Project Underway
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WHEELING -- Dust is flying inside and outside Triadelphia Middle School this summer as a nearly $8 million project to expand and renovate the school takes place.
Work behind the building is most visible, as the back stairway area leading to the auditorium has been torn way to make room for a two-story addition to the building. The ground between the main school facility and its annex is being leveled for construction of the addition.
It all means quite a change for the historic school building, which opened in 1917 as the former Triadelphia High School.
The sounds of violins once filled a classroom at the back of the school. That "string room" will be relocated, and the former string room will become new handicapped accessible restrooms. New ADA approved restrooms are being constructed throughout the main school.
The strings room eventually will be relocated to the first floor of the addition. Also on the first floor will be the choir room, art room, a maker space, a technology education wood shop and computer classes.
A cafeteria area will be on the second floor, and will overlook nearby Steenrod Elementary School.
Piping for new sprinkler systems, a heating and air conditioning system and boiler are being installed, and new duct work is being replaced.
There is also additional office space being configured near the front entrance to the building.
About $7.2 million of the total construction cost is being paid for through funds generated by a $42.2 million property improvement levy approved by voters. An ADA grant covers the cost of the handicap accessible restrooms, which come with a price tag of about $500,000.
"Our goal is to have the school cleaned up and ready for students before school begins Aug. 20," said David Crumm, administrator of operations for Ohio County Schools.
That 's not to say all work will be completed by that time, but it will be made safe for students as construction continues, he said. For example, a class might have to be relocated to a different room for a day when new windows are being placed.
But Crumm said in the end the improvements will benefits both the school system and the community, and "will be worth it."
"They're doing a lot of good work here, and a lot of behind the scenes stuff you can't see," he said of contractors.
Once work inside the school is made ready for the return of students, the next move will be to get the addition constructed and under cover by winter.
Work at the school is expected to continue through the end of the 2020-2021 school year.
Prior plans to tear down the annex building once the addition is completed are being delayed for now, according to Crumm.