Design Teams Present Bid Package 3 for High‑School Renovation; Focus on Performing Arts, Accessibility and Gym Areas

Sept. 9, 2025 — Design teams for the North Bend High School renovation presented detailed plans for bid package 3 at the district’s work session, outlining a performing‑arts addition, an auditorium facelift, changes to J Pod to house a new fitness center, accessibility upgrades and expanded student involvement in the multi‑phase project.

Project manager Eric Weiss of Schrader Group Architecture told the board that bid package 1 is under construction, bid package 2 will start construction soon, and bid package 3 is “the final of the building related bid packages,” with bid package 4 covering remaining site items. “This addition… provides some modernized spaces for the performing arts programs” and creates circulation that the team expects will relieve congestion elsewhere in the building, Weiss said.

Key elements in the bid‑package 3 plans include: - A new F‑Pod performing‑arts addition to connect existing pods and provide accessible, modern band, choral and orchestra classrooms with tuned acoustics and dedicated storage and instrument circulation paths. - A comprehensive auditorium renovation with new audiovisual systems, updated stage rigging, seating reconfiguration for improved sight lines and accessible seating, and a glass guardrail at the balcony to meet code and improve safety. - Demolition of the existing circular J Pod and construction of a new J‑Pod addition on the first floor to house the fitness center, trainer spaces and concessions; the fitness center is being moved from an inaccessible gym loft to a fully accessible first‑floor location. - Upgrades across athletic support areas, locker rooms and gym lobbies to provide better circulation and community use space, plus technology and finishes that staff described as modern and durable.

The design team emphasized accessibility throughout the package. Board member Mrs. McMorchy praised material and color changes and the accessibility work, saying she was “happy to see that the colors and the materials… I’m glad to see is gone,” and asked whether classroom furnishings would support accessibility; Weiss confirmed the team had worked with faculty on workstation sizing and circulation.

Weiss also described plans to create stronger visual and circulation links between additions and the existing building — for example, a new glass connection from the auditorium lobby to an internal courtyard and the APOD addition, and an open stair to create a clearer route to FPOD’s second floor.

On student involvement, the design team and district staff said engagement has begun and will continue. Weiss and district staff said faculty and student user groups have provided input for classrooms and some public areas; staff also described ongoing mentorships and pilot programs that bring technical‑career students into the work as it proceeds. A district official said some student involvement work is already underway and listed a student mentorship and photography and yearbook students touring site work as examples.

There were no votes or approvals on new project scope at the Sept. 9 meeting; the presentation was informational and intended to share design evolution and next steps. The district introduced Bill Hambly of CHA as an on‑site project manager who recently joined the project team.

Background and next steps: The high‑school renovation is phased over multiple years. The district and design team said they will continue end‑user meetings, student engagement sessions and detailed design work prior to bidding and construction of bid package 3.