Architects walk board through planned south-side addition at Cuba City Middle/High School

Bray Architects led Cuba City School District board members through a virtual 3D walkthrough of the district's planned south-side addition to the Middle/High School on Tuesday, highlighting a new district office entrance, commons connector and a three-court gym.

"Good evening everyone, my name is Ryan Sans and Bray Architects, excited to join you this evening and give you a walk through of the addition to the Middle High School," the architect said during the presentation, which focused on the yellow portion of the floor plan identified as the new addition.

The firm described a secure vestibule and reception for the district office, a commons that connects the existing building to the new gym, and large overhead glass doors designed to let gym activity flow visually and audibly into the commons. The gym will include motorized bleachers that can be driven and docked to reconfigure seating for events; the design shows three full practice courts and a north-south competition court with three-sided seating.

Architect Ryan Sans also detailed support spaces: a wrestling/multi-purpose room with mat storage and safety padding, a weights and fitness center with turf and an overhead door to permit runs outside, and adjacent trainer and storage spaces. The fitness center includes a separate exterior vestibule so community members can access that space outside school hours without entering the rest of the building.

The design team emphasized daylighting and acoustical panels in the gym and corridor display opportunities for historic trophies and digital signage. Site work described in the presentation includes expanded parking and connections to the existing football and track facilities on the west side of campus.

Board members asked clarifying questions about which referendum items are included in this phase; presenters said most classroom remodels on the upper hallway will be accomplished except two science rooms, and that the fitness area would be reconfigured to include a Fab Lab and storage in part. The architects noted some specialized spaces ("tech" and maker equipment) were not modeled in full detail for the walkthrough.

The board and architects agreed to capture the walkthrough for social media and local distribution so community members who are not present can review the design highlights. The presentation closed with thanks from the architects and an offer to revisit any spaces on request.