A rendering shows the planned interior layout for Edgewood Middle School. (Image provided)

WARSAW — Unseasonably cold weather and snow have not halted work on three Warsaw school buildings that are receiving major renovations this spring, summer and fall. While all three projects are happening simultaneously, each building has its particular set of needs.

Edgewood Middle School is being completely gutted section by section. Work is currently underway on the new science section, which will abut the central offices and will consist of four science classrooms. Two of the science rooms, project supervisor Jim LeMasters said, will have gas hookups while the other two will have just water and electric. Classes will be able to rotate as needed.

Once the new science wing is complete, the current science rooms will be gutted, walls will be removed and math rooms will be constructed, with one ag room. Each room will be accessible via its own door and two collaborative learning areas will be installed.

In front of the building, ground has been broken in preparation for the new STEM and tech labs, which will be the main focal point of each building. In back, space has already been marked out for sidewalks to and from where bus traffic will be routed beginning next school year. The idea behind this, according to LeMasters, is to keep car and bus traffic separate, making morning and afternoon traffic flow easier, faster and safer.

The elevated area above the commons, which previously served as a wrestling room, has been closed off and reinforcements placed in the ceiling and floor to make room for a mechanical area. The fitness and wrestling areas will be moved downstairs near the health rooms, not far from the gymnasium.

The ceiling in the common area will also be lowered to accommodate new ductwork. This, LeMasters said, will require the removal of the Tiger mural above the dining area. However, discussions are already underway to plan a new mural.

Flooring is also on the agenda for this week. Different-colored sections of floor have been laid out for designers to choose from, just one part of choosing the overall color scheme of the building’s interior.

Edgewood was built in the 1970s with an open concept in mind. However, as time and education progressed, this layout was no longer functional and walls started going up. Without a cohesive design, however, problems started occurring, including but not limited to classrooms accessible only through other classrooms.

Separate stories on Lincoln elementary School and Washington STEM Academy are forthcoming.