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Galvin Middle School project moves into design phase; geothermal test well completed
Summary
Project team told the school committee Jan. 9 that MSBA funding documents were being finalized, design development will proceed through mid‑2026 and an 800‑foot geothermal test well completed in December produced favorable conductivity results that will inform the HVAC design.
The Galvin Middle School (GMS) replacement project moved deeper into design development after town votes, the project team told the Jan. 9 Canton School Committee. The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) returned a project scope and budget and the district expects a formal project funding agreement soon; design development milestone submissions are targeted through June 2026.
Lisonbee LeForte of Leftfield OPM said the MSBA has authorized funding in scope and budget and that contract amendments for the project team will be taken up at the Jan. 15 school building committee meeting. ‘‘We are completing module 5 of the MSBA process and will move into detailed design and then construction,’’ LeForte said.
Justin Thibault of AI 3 summarized a project schedule that targets completion of design documents in June 2026, a roughly two‑year construction window starting in spring 2026, and occupancy for the 2028–29 school year with final site work completed in 2029. The team said construction phasing will include an early summer 2025 mobilization to create a temporary loop road behind the existing middle school to reduce traffic impacts during later construction.
Christy Lyons of Consigli reported that a geothermal test well drilled to approximately 800 feet during the December break produced more water and better conductivity than anticipated, a favorable result for closed‑loop geothermal performance. The team performed a 48‑hour conductivity test and said a formal report expected in a few weeks will guide HVAC system sizing and sustainability targets.
Committee members asked about demolition timing, air quality monitoring and noise. Consigli said the construction plan calls for leaving part of the existing building nearest the new facility as a barrier, performing air monitoring and vibration monitoring during demolition, and scheduling heavy demolition work in summer months where possible. The team said there may be a month‑to‑six‑week overlap after students occupy the new building while the old building is abated and demolished; the team said it will employ fencing, monitors and phased scheduling to limit impacts.
Project leaders said they will continue weekly working group meetings, reengage user groups (for example, science and arts departments, performing groups and youth sports) for programming details, and post design milestones on the project website. The team committed to community outreach and offered classroom visits and presentations about the geothermal test well.
