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Amherst Central begins phase 2 of capital project; UPK addition, secure entries and 12‑acre turf complex scheduled through 2026
Summary
Turner Construction and district architects briefed the board on phase 2 work that will touch all four district buildings, add an 8,500‑sq. ft. UPK addition, install secure entry vestibules, upgrade PA/clock systems and build a nearly 12‑acre turf complex with a target spring 2027 completion for athletics.
Turner Construction and the district’s architects presented a phase 2 update on the Amherst Central School District capital project, outlining schedules, scope and budget status and saying construction work had begun this week at multiple sites.
Madeline Murphy, Turner Construction project manager, told the board that contractor onboarding had started after April contract awards and that “we did start construction this week, which is really exciting for all of us.” She said phase 2 expands work to all four district buildings and adds a new turf complex, with construction activities running through late 2026 and closeout after that.
Architects and project managers reviewed building‑level scopes. Windermere will receive an 8,500‑square‑foot UPK addition composed of four standard classrooms and a multipurpose room, each with ADA‑compliant toilets, storage, kitchenette areas and cubbies. The UPK addition will not include full mechanical air‑conditioning but will be designed for maximum natural ventilation and a dedicated heating system; a covered playground area and a six‑foot decorative aluminum fence were planned to provide a secure outdoor play space.
The project includes secure‑entry renovations at Windermere, Smallwood and the middle school that add a second layer of controlled access: an audio/video buzzer and initial check‑in followed by a locked waiting area where an attendance or front‑office clerk verifies visitors before releasing them through a second door into the building. The firm said secure‑entry work will typically affect several hundred to about 1,200 square feet of main‑office area, require some temporary relocations (for example, the main office will operate from the nurse’s suite during construction at Smallwood), and include new casework and finishes designed to match existing branding and neutral tones.
Major middle‑school work includes crawl space abatement, IT room renovations, a south‑gym divider removal and a steam‑to‑hot‑water heating conversion timed to minimize classroom disruption. Auditorium upgrades will address rigging, lighting, audio and video and are planned to occur in early 2026, with construction through Thanksgiving 2026.
The new turf complex sits on a nearly 12‑acre site and will require utilities, substantial storm drainage, imported soils and stone, and a raised playing surface (the design calls for lifting the field about 14 inches for proper drainage). Turner said site work will begin after spring sports and that carpet/field installation and installation of lighting, fencing, scoreboards, dugouts, sidewalks and a concessions building will extend into late 2026; the district is planning contingencies so fall 2026 sports have viable alternatives and is aiming for a full opening and celebration in spring 2027.
Contractors said work sequencing considered long lead times for mechanical equipment and supply‑chain constraints; the team prioritized PA/clock upgrades and elementary secure entries in summer 2025, middle‑school secure entries and auditorium work in 2026, and turf construction starting as early as June 2025. Turner emphasized stormwater pollution prevention measures, temporary fencing and signage to protect the site and nearby neighborhoods during construction.
Jim Hickey of Turner and Laird Hoxha of the architect’s team answered questions about parking and parent drop‑off logistics, noting the design includes parking loops and lots on both Westmoreland and Kings Highway sides of the turf site to reduce pressure on existing school drop‑off areas. The firms said they will continue coordination with district operations to limit disruption to school routines and sports schedules.
Presenters identified the state review and approval timeline as a factor affecting sequencing; they said phase 2 design was submitted to the state and approved in January, which allowed February bidding and March bid acceptance in order to keep the project on schedule.
The board received the update; no formal vote on contract awards was recorded at the meeting (board contract awards were reported as previously approved in April).
