Construction is underway on a $41 million project at Newtown High School in Newtown, Connecticut, designed by project architect, Fletcher Thompson Associates of Shelton, Connecticut and lead by construction manager, The Morganti Group, Inc. of Danbury, Connecticut.

Photo: Gaffney Bennett Public Relations

The project consists of a 70,000-sq-ft addition to the new gymnasium and 15,000 sq ft of interior renovation and is slated for completion in January 2011.

Originally built in 1970 and expanded in 1997 to accommodate a growing student population, Newtown High School required even further expansion in 2007. As a result, a 73,000-sq-ft addition to the existing 285,000-sq-ft facility was needed to fulfill all educational needs.

The project, which broke ground in May 2009 is located on a site of approximately 12 acres and consists of a 70,000-sq-ft addition of major renovations to the existing gymnasium which will include removal of the roof and installation of new, curved trusses to create a larger, more attractive space and 15,000 sq ft of interior renovation. This new three-story addition will have an exterior façade covered in a glass curtain wall system and will provide supplementary educational space, including a state-of-the-art culinary arts program, science labs and administration space.

Other project work includes selective renovations of portions of the existing school that will tie into the new structures including a new three-story stairwell to help ease congestion, a new synthetic turf football field and associated site work as well as parking and landscaping to complement the project.

Newtown High School is slated for completion in January 2011.