This photo and those below are courtesy of Wight & Company Architects. The show renovations similar to those under consideration at LBMS and are from completed projects at Des Plaines School District 62 and Aptakisic Tripp District 102
Photography by George Lambrose.
Lake Bluff School District 65 is planning a renovation of Lake Bluff Middle School that is estimated to cost $3.2 million to $4.2 million and add or upgrade approximately 18,000 square feet of space to the circa 1954 building.
“Didn’t we just do that?” – many Lake Bluff residents ask when the subject of an LBMS renovation comes up in conversation. Or: “Can the district afford this?” Or: “Will the HVAC’s Chiller get even louder?”
District 65 Superintendent Dr. Jean Sophie is aware that bad feelings linger in the community from 2008, when Lake Bluff Elementary School was built, and 2009, when LBMS was expanded to include a new band room and HVAC system.
But …
“The bottom line is that we have to get something done at the Middle School,” Dr. Sophie told Daily North Shore in an interview. “We are starting to hear from parents who tour the building as potential buyers in Lake Bluff. They love Principal Nate Blackmer, they love the community. But they comment on the building. Our building does not do well when compared to other North Shore middle schools. It’s not anywhere close.”
Since the start of the New Year, about a dozen out-of-town families have toured LBMS and/or LBES, she said. Most are considering several North Shore communities and schools.
“I know people in Lake Bluff still talk about everything that went wrong with the construction of the elementary school. I know the LBMS chiller issue took several years to resolve with the neighbors. I’m dealing with that history – but I want to be transparent and to invite anyone who wants to be involved — to be involved,” said Dr. Sophie.
So what exactly is District 65 planning for LBMS? And is the renovation a matter of when … not if?
LBMS’s media center is a focal point of the renovation plans; the goal is to make it more appealing for student collaboration, and to modernize the features. These photos are courtesy of Wight & Company Architects and showcompleted projects at Des Plaines School District 62 and Aptakisic Tripp District 102. Photography by George Lambrose
“The renovation is a sure thing,” said Dr. Sophie. “The Board put aside reserves specifically for renovations when we restructured our bonds. We just don’t know what scope is yet.”
She said the district has approximately $10 million in reserves. “But we have no intention of spending $10 million (on the renovation) because with all of the things going on with the state, we need emergency reserves,” she said.
In May 2014, the D-65 board hired real estate consulting firm Plante Moran Cresa to review LBMS and provide recommendations for bringing it further into the 21st Century. This consultation followed a 2013 facilities report by BLDD Architects, the firm behind the construction of the elementary school.
Dr. Sophie said BLDD will not be involved in a future LBMS renovation. For that, the board has hired Wight Associates, an architecture firm that has managed several Chicago area school projects, including the New Trier High School and Stevenson High School renovations.
The Plante Moran and BLDD reports on LBMS had several commonalities – and these are the areas that the D-65 admin and board are focusing on for the renovation.
Photos are courtesy of Wight & Company Architects and show completed projects at Des Plaines School District 62 and Aptakisic Tripp District 102. Photography by George Lambrose
Here’s a summary of upgrades suggested by Plante Moran Cressa: For more details and information, read the full reports:
BLDD Facilities Assessment Report
Plante Moran Cressa report
From Plante Moran:
Based on our site visits, meetings with LBSD Administration and staff, and an independent review of the Educational Adequacy Assessment, in PMC’s professional opinion, there are opportunities for improvement for both facility and educational considerations. These recommendations are as follows:
LBSD should consider constructing an ADA ramp to the northwest entrance of the school. Anticipated costs range from $25,000 to $35,000
LBSD should consider renovating approximately 2,000 s.f. of existing administration/ counselor / clinic spaces to provide proper function, privacy, and operational improvement for students, parents, and staff. These renovations should address the current problems within this area of acoustics, privacy, and lack of meeting space. Anticipated costs range from $35 per foot ($70,000) to $60 per foot ($120,000)
LBSD should consider renovating approximately 5,000 s.f. of the existing library/ resource/media center to accommodate small group instruction spaces, dedicated break‐ out spaces, and enhance the interior finishes to create a collaborative learning environment. Anticipated costs range from $55 per foot ($275,000) to $85 per foot ($425,000)
LBSD should consider the possibility of expanding approximately 7,000 s.f. to the northeast portion of the facility to accommodate a cafeteria / multi‐purpose room and dedicated vocals room. The vacated cafeteria space could be backfilled with relocated administration offices adjacent to the ADA ramp and entrance into the gymnasium (noted as Option 1). Anticipated costs range from $275 per foot ($1,925,000) to $300 per foot ($2,100,000).
If recommendation #3 is not considered, LBSD could consider the possibility of constructing a 10,000 s.f. multi‐classroom addition by expanding to the southwest portion of the facility. This addition could accommodate large instructional and small group instructional spaces in addition to toilet and support/storage spaces, etc. (noted as Option 2). Anticipated costs range from $275 per foot ($2,750,000) to $300 per foot ($3,000,000).
The architects hired for the LBMS renovation, Wight & Associates, will give a presentation at D-65’s March 10 meeting.
Photos are courtesy of Wight & Company Architects and show completed projects at Des Plaines School District 62 and Aptakisic Tripp District 102. Photography by George Lambrose