he Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board is reviewing an updated plan for the proposed new middle school, and the price will be going up. The new estimate for just the school is now believed to be about $153.3 million, with a completion date of May 2034.
In January, it was announced that the projected cost of a new middle school was estimated at $139.5 million, $19 million more than what was presented after the feasibility study, but roughly $8 million less than after the preliminary schematic design. School Superintendent Tim Hoffman said at that time that the timeline might have to be adjusted, and that’s what was presented during the March 9 work session.
The new plan involves an adjusted timeline for the project as well as the project scope and funding. That plan “incorporates the middle school project into the larger Secondary School Plan,” Hoffman said as he moved into the presentation.
“There were things that were wrapped into the overall project scope that we feel would be a major benefit to our community to do them as soon as possible.”
Hoffman said several severable aspects of the schematic design remain close to original estimates, but that other costs, such as site work, demolition, and construction estimates, were higher than expected.
He added that there is greater flexibility to incorporate the new middle school into a secondary campus plan once the high school debt drops off in 2031. That would be the reason for the adjusted timeline. That change, Hoffman said, would allow the district to move forward with other related projects before construction begins on the school itself.
Among those projects are moving the tennis courts, adding one more court, and also reconfiguring parking and traffic flow. That would cost about $5.02 million and be finished by August 20028, according to Director of Facilities James Whitesel.
The second project would involve moving the middle school baseball and softball fields at a cost of $2.587 million. That project would be completed by October 2029.
“This centralizes our athletic activities to the north end of the campus and provides the space needed to construct a possible new middle school,” Whitesel said. That new school, he said, would be in the area of the existing ball fields.
However, the change in the estimated cost is significant.
“The scope of the project is basically the same as what we reviewed back in January; however, the budget has increased primarily due to pushing the project back approximately five years to better fit within our debt service and under Act 1,” Whitesel said.
If the board approves the update plan, construction of the new middle school would begin in September of 2031 (moved from mid-2027) and be completed by May of 2034. Demolition of the old school would start in June of 2034 and be finished a year later.
The total cost for all phases is currently estimated at $166.377 million.
Joe Deady, the director of finance, said the demand for construction material and labor could drive inflation higher than estimates. Deady added the idea is a 30-year payment term, meaning the cost would be spread out over a 30-year period.
Hoffman wrapped up that portion of the presentation, saying that roof repair and restoration would continue at the middle school and that the district would continue to budget for routine maintenance until the project is finished.
A vote is currently scheduled for next week.
Other business
• The board will be considering the installation of a native garden at Unionville High School at a cost of $9,930. This garden, according to board documents, will provide both a backdrop to the school’s Longhorn statue at the entrance of to the school and provide a visual barrier for some current back-of-house operations. The garden includes 4 trees, 38 shrubs, and 102 perennials that are native to the Pennsylvania region. The project would go to Green Ridge landscaping.
• Directors will also vote on whether to spend $33,350 on replacement water fountain/hydration stations at Chadds Ford and Unionville Elementary schools, and at CF Paton Middle School. That job is scheduled for Hajoca Corporation.
