Wethersfield High School Completes Renovation
Wethersfield, CT
GNCB recently completed geotechnical engineering services for the Town of Wethersfield’s renovation of its high school. The $83.7 million project consisted of 250,000 sq. ft. of renovated space, including a complete overhaul of the auditorium, new classrooms and multipurpose spaces, and 24,000 sq. ft. of three new buildings for a new gymnasium, media center, music rooms, and an exterior elevator. Site construction improved bus and vehicle traffic flow, expanded parking space, and upgraded athletic field bleacher areas. Staging of the five-year project, from design to fall 2016 opening, reduced downtime of on-going school activities.
The team, led by Connecticut architect Quisenberry Arcari of Farmington and construction manager O&G Industries of Torrington, interacted as one throughout the project, due to its total commitment to project efficiency and economic deign. GNCB services included a subsurface exploration program, foundation design studies, preparation of specifications, and on-site monitoring services during construction. Twelve test borings helped to define the dense glacial till subsurface soils and shallow bedrock. While the conditions were quite satisfactory to support shallow spread footing foundations, the somewhat high groundwater and dense soil conditions required both temporary and permanent drainage control to permit work to proceed in the dry and with minimal hydrostatic concerns; pavement foundation drains were required. Much of the existing pavement was deemed suitable for reclamation which was both an economical and environmental plus for the project.
Within the past few years, GNCB geotechnical group has participated in over eight public school renovation projects in Connecticut.
