Robinson Career Center construction advances; county to share cost of added wing, solar system still under review

Robinson Career Center construction is progressing, with contractors reporting exterior framing, steel, and slabs in place and interior rough‑ins under way, presenters told the Public Schools of Robeson County Construction & Finance Committee.

The district’s MetCon contractor and SFLA Architects presented a drone video and floor plans showing the project split into base areas A, B and C and a later addition called Area D. “I’m TJ Gaines. I’m project manager with MetCon,” said TJ Gaines, who reviewed recent site work and a drone video showing steel, slab on grade and block walls. Michael Holborn, project manager with SFLA Architects, walked the board through floor plans and renderings, including classrooms, shops, a culinary area and a 40‑foot planetarium dome.

The committee was told Area D is a roughly $15,000,000 section added onto the base building; presenters said the county will provide $7.5 million and the district will provide the other $7.5 million. Committee discussion indicated the district expects to repay its share with annual payments; staff stated a $500,000 annual repayment figure would be returned to the board for formal approval once county loan terms are provided in writing and the county completes its 2023–24 audit.

Why it matters: the Robinson Career Center is planned as the district’s first new ground‑up high school facility since the 1980s, with career‑tech shop space, a planetarium and public‑facing elements intended to support career and community programming.

Details from the presentation

- Schedule and phasing: presenters described a two‑phase approach. The committee was told the base building (areas A–C) could be delivered earlier, with a possible phase‑one completion target around June of next year for that portion. With Area D included, presenters said the full project completion is now estimated at the end of 2026. The board clarified which rooms belong to Area D (culinary, business/industry labs, one mechatronics classroom and the paired second‑floor mechatronics space).

- Building program and design: Michael Holborn described transparency and visibility as design priorities: shop spaces have roll‑up glass doors and a central learning commons to let visitors and younger students see hands‑on work. The planetarium will have a 40‑foot dome, six digital projectors and both digital and opto‑mechanical capability; presenters described that as a high‑spec teaching and public‑use asset.

- Cost sharing and next steps: committee discussion noted the county contribution and the district’s payback plan. Staff said the district will return with written loan terms from the county and a formal approval request for the district’s repayment obligations once the county completes its audit for the 2023–24 year.

- Energy and solar options: the design includes a large solar alternative sized at about 868 kilowatts. Presenters described the project as “net‑zero energy ready,” meaning roof orientation and infrastructure have been prepared for photovoltaic (PV) panels and battery storage, but final net‑zero performance will depend on actual equipment loads and use patterns. Michael Holborn said the district is “pretty confident this is a very large solar system,” but added, “I don’t want to come here and say it will 100% eliminate absolutely all of your electrical requirements because you may utilize the building more than we’re calculating for.” He and the team said battery energy storage is being priced as a separate option and conduits for batteries have been roughed in.

- Signage, logos and community identity: designers proposed placing the Public Schools of Robeson County logo and the five high school emblems in reception so visitors see them upon entry; the committee discussed metal circular plaques mounted on standoffs. The team also said funding and permitting conversations are ongoing for an LED sign along the 711 frontage and a brick monument sign on Livermore Drive.

Quotes from presenters

- “Our MetCon team, we’re very excited to see the building coming along, the Robinson Career Center facility,” said TJ Gaines, project manager with MetCon.

- “There’s a lot of opportunities with this other than just showing space programs,” said Michael Holborn, project manager with SFLA Architects, describing the planetarium and flexible spaces.

What’s next and outstanding items

- County loan terms and the district repayment schedule must be provided in writing before the board will consider formal approval of the district’s payback obligation.

- Final decisions remain pending on whether to include the solar PV system and battery storage in base contract scope; presenters said current pricing work and utility coordination (including with Lumber River Electric Membership Cooperative) are ongoing.

- Teams will return with updated renderings, finalized exterior and interior finish selections, and more detailed cost breakdowns for Area D, the LED sign and PV/battery options.

Ending: Committee members praised progress and asked staff to bring formal repayment terms and any final alternates back to the full board for approval once documentation and county audit items are complete.