District Proposes Capital Improvement Project
Posted on 10/16/2023
Stakeholders of Galway Central School District have been planning a Capital Improvement Project that will address facility needs that were not included in the 2016 Capital Project. Project elements are based on the Building Condition Survey that school districts are required by NYS to perform every five years, which include the following five priorities:
1. Safety, Security, and ADA Compliance
• A Secure Junior/Senior High School Entrance
The project will create a secure entrance at the Junior/Senior High School that mimics the Joseph Henry Elementary School entrance.
• Safer Deliveries
The dumpsters near the loading dock that are currently in the pathway between the Junior/Senior High School and the recreation area will be relocated.
• Safer Overflow Parking and Crossing
The parcels of land that residents authorized the district to purchase in May 2023 will be made into two new lots for overflow parking for school events. The district will work with NYS to provide additional crosswalks on Sacandaga Road.
• Improve Accessibility
The project will add a handicap-accessible ramp and walkway to the tennis courts and student parking. It will also provide a ramp and ADA access to the relocated trash dumpsters.
2. Educational Programming
• STEM Innovative Spaces
Currently our Junior/Senior High School technology classroom can only accommodate the design portion of the curriculum. The project will include an addition to the back of the existing classroom, which will provide space for students to design and build their ideas and solutions.
The Elementary building does not have a dedicated science space. The proposed project will transform an existing classroom into a STEM lab that will include interactive lab stations and robotics. This will allow for innovation, collaboration, and project-based cross-curricular learning opportunities.
• Business and Agriculture Suite
The Business classroom will be relocated next to the Agriculture room to allow for cross-curricular, real-life, business and agriculture activities. The space will include a greenhouse that will feature a storefront/farm stand that will be open to the community.
3. Aging Infrastructure
The project will replace boilers at the bus garage and elementary school that have reached the end of their useful lives. There are also several items that were included in past projects that have not been completed due to cost escalation:
• Bus Garage
• Reconstruct pavement
• Relocate and replace underground fuel tanks with aboveground tanks
• Replace oil/water separator
• Relocate and replace underground fuel tanks
• Restroom renovations
4. Health and Wellness
The proposed capital project will enhance health and wellness opportunities for students and the community by reconfiguring and expanding the High School gymnasium, locker room, and adjacent spaces.
The current gym, although regulation size, is too small. The current area between the boundary line of the basketball court and bleachers is only 15 inches, which results in most spectators’ feet touching the line. The proposed project will expand the gym to two full-size basketball/volleyball courts and give each locker room a Team Room.
The wrestling room will be relocated upstairs, and the current weight room will be re-imaged as a seminar room by day and community room by night.
A Fitness Room located in the front of the school will allow for easy community access.
The expanded gymnasium will also include an indoor walking track and a new concession counter.
5. Athletics
The proposed project will reconstruct the outdoor track, replace scoreboards for soccer and softball, and pave the parking lot near the track.
Information Sessions
To learn more about the proposed Capital Improvement Project, district residents are invited to attend these public information sessions:
• October 16, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. in the Auditorium
• November 9, 2023 at 6 p.m. in the Auditorium
• November 30, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. in the High School Library
• December 11, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. in the Auditorium
For more information about the proposed Capital Improvement Project, please click here.