Cape charter school expansion project on schedule
The expansion project for Oasis elementary, middle and high school of 60,000 square feet began Dec. 17 after students were released for winter break.
The official ground-breaking ceremony for the project was held on Dec. 3 at Oasis High School.
Oasis Charter School Business Manager David Fiorillo said they have entered the first phase of construction and things have gone according to plan.
So far, demolition of the road behind all three campuses has been completed, along with the construction site being secured with fences to make it a safe environment for the students, staff and construction crew. The new air conditioning system and pad were also installed with all the new underground wiring behind the middle school. Last, but not least, the crews provided a new traffic pattern for the second half of the school year for parents to pick up and drop off their children.
The foundation for the buildings is expected to be laid soon.
Fiorillo explained that the city is allowing the school to store its construction equipment on their land, which is located directly behind their property during the project. The construction vehicles enter and leave through the gates that are on the premises of their property and the city’s property, so there is no disruption for the flow of school traffic.
He said so far the construction has gone really well and they have had no major issues.
“So far we are very happy,” he said.
NDC Construction and Lawson Group Architects are in charge of the expansion project.
The total cost for the expansion is $7.5 million, which breaks down to $6.9 million for construction and $600,000 for new fixtures and equipment.
The bond for the project was issued by the city of Cape Coral, but the debt service will be completely paid for through the Florida Educational Finance program’s per pupil state formula and from the capital outlay funds from the state.
The expansion will include 12 new classrooms for Oasis Elementary and 12 new classrooms, along with an “airnasium,” for Oasis Middle.
The largest expansion, of 32,388 square feet, will be a two-story gymnasium behind Oasis High. Fiorillo said since the enrollment has been successful at the high school level, it was important to include a gymnasium in the expansion plans.
The gym will have a regulation basketball court, along with 800 stadium seats, concession stand, lobby, locker rooms and three classrooms on the bottom floor. The top floor will feature three classrooms, five administrative offices, a community fitness center and an indoor cushioned walking track.
The expansion will allow the charter school to add 30 new teachers and 600 students after its completion, projected for July 29. Fiorillo said when the expansion is done, they will have the capacity to have 3,100 students enrolled among the three schools.