Balfour Beatty US selected for $100 million high school update and expansion

Cleburne, Texas — Balfour Beatty US was selected to serve as construction manager for Cleburne Independent School District’s (CISD) $100 million, 500,000-square-foot update and expansion of Cleburne High School (CHS). The 2016 voter-approved school bond calls for the update and expansion of the 41-year-old existing high school to provide students and faculty a secure, state-of-the-art learning environment. The city itself is rich in architecture, and the newly renovated high school will mirror the design of the Guinn Justice Center, which served as the community’s high school in the early 1900s.

The transformation of CHS into a future-ready school for 21st century learners will include a new and expanded Career Technology Education facility, advanced science wing, a two-story classroom wing for core classes, a library, and the relocation of the TEAM alternative school to the campus. The performing arts center, fine arts instructional areas and all athletic facilities will also undergo renovations and additions. Balfour Beatty’s scope includes selective demolition, site preparation, new utilities, audiovisual equipment, hardscape and landscape elements, as well as the addition of 1,000 new parking spaces.

Designed by Corgan, the new CHS incorporates key sustainable features such as daylighting with floor-to-ceiling windows throughout many areas of the school, dimmable lighting to adjust for incoming daylight, motion and occupancy sensors, as well as full LED lighting and low-flow restroom fixtures. The project will also feature a courtyard in the center of the building along with outdoor learning spaces and a new outdoor practice area for the band. Balfour Beatty will leverage the latest technologies, including BIM and BIM 360 Field, digital plan rooms and lean construction methods such as pull planning and integrated team alignment to achieve the school’s progressive design.

“This partnership signifies a successful collaboration between CISD, Balfour Beatty, our design and trade partners, and the surrounding community,” said Jon Moreau, vice president of Balfour Beatty’s education group in Texas. “The planned amenities will enable the district to keep pace with their students’ expanding academic, performing arts, technological and athletic requirements. We are honored to serve as CISD’s trusted advisor on this legacy project, and we look forward to helping advance the education experience of the next generation of Cleburne students.”

The groundbreaking ceremony will be held in early spring of 2017. The project start is May 2017, and it is expected to complete by summer 2019, welcoming students for the 2019 – 2020 school year.