Norwin hires firm to study facilities

A Mt. Lebanon engineering and architecture firm will study Norwin school facilities and prioritize what needs to be repaired or replaced and how much it would cost.

The school board hired VEBH Architects to do the comprehensive facilities master plan for $35,800. The plan is to be finished in March and formally presented to the school board in April.

The “comprehensive blueprint” will help the district determine the use of the facilities, as well as possible options for maintaining them, said Jeff Taylor, Norwin superintendent.

The master plan is to include how Norwin can save on energy use and outline the options for the pool and sports venues. VEBH is directed to study improvements to school safety, the need to replace school desks and any needed repairs to the high school roof. VEBH is to prepare conceptual planning for any reconstruction, repair or new construction.

The plan, which will assess the capacities of the schools, also will include a demographic study to determine how to plan for enrollment, which has been growing in recent years, Taylor said.

Any repairs or projects that are needed will be paid for from the proceeds of a $9.95 million bond issue Norwin approved.

VEBH and McKissick Associates of Harrisburg were the finalists that were interviewed last month for the project. VEBH has created master plans at school districts such as Hopewell Area, North Allegheny, Franklin Regional and Fox Chapel Area.