Design team presents Fruitland Primary construction documents, net‑zero plan and budget update

Design and construction teams presented final construction documents and a net‑zero energy approach for the replacement Fruitland Primary school and told the Board of Education they plan to submit the documents to the state and bid the project this spring.

Goodman Parker Architects, Whiting‑Turner (construction manager) and system engineers described the site layout, classroom organization, outdoor courtyards, accessible play areas and a geothermal well field. The design incorporates water‑source heat pumps, a geothermal system, LED lighting and photovoltaics on the roof and an alternate for solar carports in the parking lot. Architect Kieran Wilmes described the project as an effort to “minimize energy demand” and to pair that with production from solar to approach net‑zero performance.

The teams showed walkthrough images and noted design details requested by school staff, including sensory rooms and OT/PT spaces with swings and ADA‑accessible picnic seating in courtyards. The project schedule aims for a Spring bid (March–April), construction this summer and occupancy in 2027, the design team said. Whiting‑Turner provided an updated cost estimate and the team said the project is within the district’s current budget; they are carrying an escalation contingency of about $3.7 million pending market conditions at bid time.

State support appears likely to improve: the IAC provided a 90% draft recommendation of roughly $12 million toward the Fruitland Primary allocation for FY26 and the project is eligible for enrollment‑growth and relocatable classroom funds, project staff said. The team said they will return to the board in February for final approval to submit construction documents and proceed to bidding.