From the Ground Up: Century Elementary School

Owner/developer: Nixa Public Schools
General contractor: R.E. Smith Construction (Joplin)
Architect: Dake Wells Architecture Inc.
Engineers: Shaffer & Hines Inc., civil; J&M Engineering LLC, structural; and Smith-Goth and Associates Engineers Inc., mechanical, electrical and plumbing.
Size: 16,024 square feet
Estimated cost: $3.3 million
Lender: None; bond issue
Estimated completion: July
Project description: Nixa Public Schools’ Century Elementary School is adding 10 classrooms and a multipurpose room in a project that is expected to wrap in a few weeks. District spokesperson Zac Rantz said the new construction was needed as the school had to move its fourth-grade students to Summit Intermediate due to lack of space. In the fall, those students will move back into the building, bringing enrollment to an estimated 600 from 480, he said. The multipurpose room will allow for gym classes to occur during lunch hours, Rantz said, and provide a community space for youth sports after school. Alongside the addition, renovations to the building include reinforcing the entire building to double as a shelter for students during severe weather, a secure entrance and site updates, including the addition of two new playground equipment sets.