Construction projects moving forward in the planning stage

The behind-the-scenes planning and design of a new Sumas Elementary School, additional classrooms at Nooksack and Everson elementary schools and updates to auxiliary areas of Nooksack Valley High School continue in earnest. 

The most visible portion of the recent bond, passed by voters in early 2019, includes the educational-specific design of the new Sumas Elementary. Working with Terry Brown of Bellingham’s Zervas architects, Nooksack Valley Schools continues to determine the needs of the new school.

Mark Johnson, superintendent, says that during the design phase the district also attains cost estimates for each design element, ensuring it is in line with the project’s budget. The plan calls for NV Schools to go to bid with the Sumas project in April 2020 with the bid award likely coming in May and construction starting as early as late May. 

The new Sumas Elementary building will get built behind the existing school. Once completed, the old building will be demolished to make way for a bus loop and parking. Johnson said the goal is to move into the new Sumas Elementary during summer of 2021.

Along with the Sumas project, Johnson says that four new classrooms at Nooksack Elementary and eight new classrooms at Everson Elementary, including a new play shed, will also go to bid in April, at the same time as the Sumas project. There is potential that those projects will be ready in December 2020, otherwise they will be put into use during the summer of 2021. 

Johnson says that if the bids on the three elementary projects come in as expected, the district can then move forward on going to bid on revamping “tired areas” at the high school. That project includes updates to the auxiliary gymnasium, Performing Arts Center, restroom areas in the athletic facilities, the concession stand at the football stadium and the heating and air conditioning controls in the building.