Bentonville School District's West High School will open for occupancy in Centerton on Monday, two weeks ahead of the Aug. 1 deadline, a district official said Friday.
The decision was made after the district received a certificate from Centerton and a letter of substantial completion from Hight Jackson Associates, the architecture firm hired for the project.
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Find the Bentonville School District online at bentonvillek12.org.
"The letter turns the facility over to the School District," Paul Wallace, facilities director, said by phone Friday. "Just because we get occupancy doesn't mean it's school-ready, but we'll use the next three to four weeks to get computers in and connections to each classroom."
About 1,200 students are expected to attend West High School this fall, with projections of 1,700 students for 2017. The high school is the district's second.
"It's been a long project, but everything has been on schedule and gone smoothly," said Centerton Mayor Bill Edwards. "We're excited because it will be a big boost for the community."
Administrative staff will begin to move into offices Monday. Band, football, volleyball and other groups with daily summer practices will follow when they start to move in equipment and students Thursday.
"They'll start having practices there, or at least have the ability to hold practice," Wallace said. "That's the first day they can bring kids to the site."
Furniture has been moved into the building. The process of installing technology equipment, such as Smartboards and the phone system, is ongoing. All that's left are final touches such as as adding sound equipment for the performing arts center, which seats 900.
"All lights and safety items have passed," Wallace said. "We wouldn't get occupancy without it. There are just minor things left, touching up paint, repairs and hardware installation for locks."
A grand opening is planned for 10 a.m. July 29 in front of the school at 10519 Gamble Road. Edwards, Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Bentonville Superintendent Debbie Jones, former Superintendent Michael Poore and Travis Riggs, School Board president, will speak during a brief ceremony. Visitors can tour the facility during the open house afterward.
Centerton plans to finish road work surrounding the school in the days leading up to the grand opening.
The Centerton Planning Department has seen plans for nine subdivisions near the school. Edwards expects the area to be a popular place to live.
West High School will house 121 classrooms, a culinary lab, an advanced media center and a 2,000-seat competition gym, according to a district news release. The buildings cover 400,000 square feet, said Paul Stolt, director of communications for the district.
"Patrons and stakeholders can come in and take a self-guided tour through what we think is Arkansas' newest collaborative learning environment," he said. "The building has been designed to provide students areas to engage, collaborate and work together."
NW News on 07/16/2016