Published: August 25, 2008 11:42 pm      

Blazer renovation to continue

ASHLAND — Renovation of Building 6 and the Anderson Gymnasium could start by December, an architect for the project said.

The renovation would cost around $2.9 million, based on preliminary estimates reviewed by the Ashland school board Monday.

Building 6 is to get new floors, interior and exterior doors, interior paint, roof and lighting, along with plumbing and sprinkler system repairs.

An architect’s plan calls for replacement of the window wall system, but the board has yet to decide whether to do that or replace aging heat and air units first.

The gym is to receive a new roof, ceiling, paint and lobby lighting.

The board also hasn’t decided what to do about replacing the system of canopies that connect the multi-building campus.

Principal Derek Runyon said he’d prefer to see the money spent on classrooms. Students don’t spend that much time going from class to class outside and there are on average 10 to 15 days per year when the weather is bad enough to justify the barrier, he said.

“We’re going to have to squeeze every dime,” said Superintendent Steve Gilmore. Whether to replace windows or ventilation first will depend on which will save the most money in energy costs in the long run, he said.

Architect Chuck Trimble recommended the windows because the existing single-pane system lacks in energy efficiency.

Trimble’s company, Murphy Graves Architects, will develop building options and the board will make choices in the next couple of weeks. If all goes well, the project should be ready to start by December or January, he said.