HAMPTON | Construction is progressing on Winnacunnet High School’s new 42,600-sq.ft. freestanding gymnasium, part of the high school’s $26.8M renovation and expansion project.

Pro Con Construction of Manchester is the construction manager and Frank P. Marinace of New Hampton (NH) is the architect for the phased project, which includes 53,000-sq.ft. of new construction and 57,300-sq.ft. of renovations to the existing high school building, as well as construction of the new freestanding gymnasium.

The gymnasium foundation and masonry bearing walls have been completed, and the pre-cast concrete plank for the second floor is scheduled to be installed by the end of the year.

Pro Con Construction plans to have the joist and deck for the roof system in place by January and gymnasium building enclosed by February 2005.

The school is located at 1 Alumni Drive in Hampton and serves the towns of Hampton, North Hampton, Hampton Falls, and Seabrook.

The first phase of the project is the construction of the freestanding gymnasium. Subsequent phases include a two-story addition with 25 classrooms, the renovation of the school’s math and science classrooms, turning the former gymnasium into a cafeteria and transforming the former cafeteria into a music wing.

As part of the pre-construction services, Pro Con Construction worked with the project architect and the project engineers to obtain the necessary building permits from the State of New Hampshire to begin the first phase of site work. The phased approval process enabled the school district to begin the site work for the project while the final architectural and construction plans were being finalized, thus shortening the two-year construction time line by several months.

In addition to assistance with permitting, Pro Con Construction also worked with the project team during the pre-construction phase to address issues relating to construction scheduling, budget, value engineering, and construction materials and methods. The pre-construction effort assisted in identifying the complete project scope and contributes to the overall project success during the construction phase.

WHS was originally built in 1958 for approximately 500 students. Currently, more than 1200 students from four New Hampshire towns attend the school and the school population is expected to increase by another 250 students by 2006.

There have been numerous additions and renovations to the building since it was initially built; however, the school is currently utilizing 14 modular classrooms to house the student population.

Overcrowding issues are also a concern in the cafeteria and the gymnasium, and the fire and police have long been concerned about the school only having one access road to the property.

In addition to the expansion and renovation plans, the proposed site work will improve the traffic flow and add additional parking spaces and construct a second access road into the school property. Renovation work includes replacing a leaky roof, upgrading the lighting and electrical systems and bringing the school’s life and safety features up to code.

Pro Con Construction, an experienced manager of school projects, recently completed the $13 million Barrington Middle School, an $11 million expansion and renovation project at Goffstown High School and a $12 million expansion project at the Londonderry High School.