December 2022 Construction Update
Posted on 12/19/2022
.png)
by Gina Zervos, R31 Communications Director
I’ve been going out of my way to drive down 10th and 18th streets lately, excited to see the daily progress of the construction projects at Rolla High School and Truman Elementary. Every time I pass I notice something new and see the additions continue to take shape.
To add some context to the magnitude of this project, the new additions at Rolla High School will add 70,000 square feet to the footprint of the campus. Looking at the building from the intersection of 8th and Cedar Streets, you can really get a feel for the size of the new field house under construction. The approximately 30,0000 square foot facility will seat over 2,000 between the main level and the mezzanine. The mezzanine level, which is just about level with Cedar Street, will contain a walking track and batting cages. Directly to the north of the new field house (on the former Blossom Basket property) you’ll notice new construction of the soon-to-be band, drama, and vocal arts classrooms. This part of the building will serve as a storm shelter for the entire population, much like what was constructed at Rolla Junior High last year. Eventually, a connector piece will be added to serve as a bridge between the new field house and the performing arts center (current RHS gymnasium), along with additional parking on the corner at 10th and Cedar Street. The expected completion date for the new field house is July 2023, at which time renovations will begin to convert the existing RHS gymnasium into a beautiful, state-of-the-art performing arts center. Visit rolla31.org under The Future of R31 tab to see a video mockup of the transformation.
Things are moving along nicely at Truman Elementary as the project nears completion. On the east end of the property, a new parking lot, fence, and car rider circle have been installed. The extra parking was necessary as the construction in the upper lot temporarily occupies those spaces. The fences along the road and between the parking lot and playground add an extra layer of safety and security. At the west/upper end of the campus, the large structure where the front entrance used to be is a new library. This space also serves as a storm shelter for the building population. It’s almost complete! The adjacent new administrative office spaces are on track to be finished by the end of January, with the other areas close behind. The past few months have been a flurry of activity, but is shaping up beautifully and will offer much more functional facilities for the Truman students and staff upon completion.
Safety and security updates are ongoing throughout the district and include the installation of safety film, door and lock upgrades, and software and hardware implementation throughout the district. The district continues to make district-wide safety and security a top priority.
As a reminder, the construction and improvements outlined above, along with the construction and upgrades at Rolla Junior High and Rolla Technical Institute, are a result of the voter-approved bond issue, R31-2020. The bond initiative was passed in June of 2020, resulting in a no-tax-increase $25M bond purchase. We appreciate the ongoing support in maintaining and expanding the facilities for our school families, staff, and community. Please follow us on social media and visit our website for frequent updates on all things related to Rolla Public Schools. Thanks for making each day a great day to be a Bulldog!