Greater Latrobe school facilities consultant lists up to $121M in potential improvements

Architectural consultants have identified up to $121 million worth of potential improvements that could be made to Greater Latrobe School District buildings and grounds over the next decade.

But that assessment is just the starting point for crafting a master facilities plan the district wants the school board to consider, possibly in December.

The plan also must take into account the district’s finances and enrollment projections and its vision for education in the years ahead, said Todd Thackery, vice president of architecture for Ohio-based SHP.

The good news, Thackery said, is that none of the district buildings has reached an industry benchmark that would signal it should be replaced — when the cost of needed renovations rises to 60% or more of the cost of all new construction.

Most of the buildings are showing their advanced age — other than Latrobe Elementary School, which opened its doors in December 2018. Still, district buildings overall are well-maintained, he said.

“None are out of hand being recommended for replacement,” Thackery told about 20 people Thursday attending a community forum in the senior high auditorium.

In the most ideal situation, district Superintendent Mike Porembka said, it would take at least four years to accomplish the suggested renovations and updates for Greater Latrobe’s five schools, stadium and central office. But, he said, the time to decide on a long-range plan is now.

“Nothing is happening overnight,” Porembka noted. But, he said, “We are approaching a crossroads. We need to spend the next year figuring out what we want, need and have to do to provide our kids and our staff with the best facilities possible.”

The next step in the planning process, expected to begin in March, will be a series of three educational visioning sessions involving two separate groups.

According to Joshua Predovich, an architect and project manager for SHP, one group will consist of about 30 district students in grades 5-12 while the other will number between 40 and 50 members including parents, higher education partners and district staff and administrators.

“The goal of educational visioning is really to understand the shift,” Predovich said. “The shift is about where we are today educationally and where we want to be in the future.”

Participants in the sessions, he said, will take part in exercises, surveys and games to help get them “thinking about the relationship of students and space, thinking about how those components come together.”

After they bring their ideas together in a culminating fourth session, there will be a “test fit” to determine how well educational needs match up with district facilities.

Based on its initial facilities assessment, SHP projected improvement needs and costs at the following district buildings, listed from oldest to newest:

• Baggaley Elementary, constructed in 1951, expanded in 1974, renovated in 1998 — $15 million to $20 million in improvements, including roof, window and door replacements;

• Mt. View Elementary, constructed in 1952, expanded in 1960 and 1974, renovated in 1999 — $15 million to $20 million, including roof, door and window replacements, replacement of copper pipes that have pinhole leaks and relocation of a below-grade boiler room to prevent water intrusion;

• Senior High School, constructed in 1966, expanded and renovated in 2001 and 2003 — $36 million to $47 million, including a partial roof replacement, brick repairs, pool and auditorium improvements and replacement of field turf;

• Junior High School, constructed in 1974, renovated in 1998 and 2014 — $23 million to $30 million, including roof, drain, door and window replacements and replacement of leaky pipes;

• Latrobe Elementary, constructed in 2018 — $500,000 to $1 million, including updated classroom technology and replacement of rooftop HVAC units.

The consultant also recommended between $1.8 million and $2.5 million in improvements at Memorial Stadium, including replacement of field lights with LED versions, resurfacing of the track, roof repairs and improvements to the locker room and press box.

Work suggested at the district office on Latrobe’s Lincoln Avenue includes pavement work and replacement of the roof and rooftop HVAC units, at a cost of $500,000 to $700,000.

Noting that district enrollment of about 3,400 students is expected to hold steady or decline, Thackery said Greater Latrobe will have up to 150,000 square feet of excess space in facilities dedicated to grades K-8 if it maintains school buildings at their current footprint.

There will be multiple opportunities for district residents to provide input in the planning process, Predovich said. They can keep up to date on planning and submit questions and comments by visiting futureglsd.com, where they also can volunteer to take part in educational visioning or on a community advisory team that will help to develop a final master plan beginning in August. Those without internet access can reach the district at 724-539-4200.

Those who attended Thursday’s community outreach meeting were invited to complete a survey. Two additional outreach meetings are slated for the summer and fall.