Bruce Vento Elementary School
Bruce Vento Elementary - New Construction Project
Bruce F. Vento Elementary is receiving a newly-constructed, multi-story school building of approximately 160,000 SF. The new building will continue to serve grades PreK-5 and is being expanded to include an Early Childhood and Community Hub providing early childhood programming, specialized services, and community support services through the Achievement Plus model. More details are provided below.
Construction Photos
Groundbreaking - from left: Director of Achievement Plus at Amherst H. Wilder Foundation Richard Gibson, Bruce Vento Intervention Specialist Antwan Flowers, former principal Dr. Bill Schrankler, Councilmember Amy Brendmoen, Susan Vento, Principal Nicky Napierala, Superintendent Dr. Joe Gothard (September 2023)
Groundbreaking - from left: Director of Achievement Plus at Amherst H. Wilder Foundation Richard Gibson, Bruce Vento Intervention Specialist Antwan Flowers, former principal Dr. Bill Schrankler, Councilmember Amy Brendmoen, Susan Vento, Principal Nicky Napierala, Superintendent Dr. Joe Gothard (September 2023)
Groundbreaking: Principal Nicky Napierala, former principal William Shrankler, Superintendent Joe Gothard (September 2023)
Finished egress path (September 2023)
West underground storm water infiltration system being prepped and poured with concrete (October 2023)
Buried debris being removed (October 2023)
Buried utility lines (October 2023)
West underground storm water infiltration system being prepped and poured with concrete (October 2023)
Fence posting (September 2023)
Fencing on south end of property (September 2023)
Elevator shaft with scaffolding (March 2024)
Elevator shafts in the snow (March 2024)
Concrete being poured (March 2024)
Water proofing material (March 2024)
Anchor bolts on steel column (April 2024)
Steel columns (April 2024)
Joists beams (April 2024)
Steel looking west (April 2024)
Steel stud framing (May 2024)
Erected steel (May 2024)
Mock-up of wall system (May 2024)
Steel decking (June 2024)
Precast walls being installed (June 2024)
Precast walls being installed (June 2024)
Crane in rainwater (June 2024)
Weather barrier detailing at joints (July 2024)
Underground plumbing underway (July 2024)
Partially poured concrete floor slab (July 2024)
Fans inside the new gym walls (July 2024)
Mechanical rough-ins (August 2024)
North entry and north penthouse taking shape (August 2024)
Layers at foundation for energy performance (August 2024)
Brick at northwest corner (August 2024)
Fire suppression and mechanical rough-ins (September 2024)
South-end framing (September 2024)
Windows installed on north side (September 2024)
Section of floor slab completed (September 2024)
East courtyard with installed windows (October 2024)
Air barrier and metal panels on west side (October 2024)
Office administration area (October 2024)
Roof and north penthouse (October 2024)
Plumbing piping installed (November 2024)
Roofing on administrative wing (November 2024)
Exterior wall panels (November 2024)
Drywall being installed (November 2024)
Prep for last concrete floor pour (December 2024)
Bathroom floor tile (December 2024)
South-side elevation before brick or panels (December 2024)
Installed windows on east elevation (December 2024)
Big fans still needed to heat spaces (January 2025)
Framing and systems at south end of building (January 2025)
Ceiling grid with some systems fixtures (January 2025)
Walls and paint in north end of building (January 2025)
Kitchen hood installed (February 2025)
Gym equipment basketball hoop and backboard (February 2025)
Main office glazing (February 2025)
Painting and flooring (March 2025)
Stormtrap system forms (March 2025)
Geoexchange drilling underway (March 2025)
Classroom finishes (March 2025)
Solatubes (April 2025)
Paint and paneling in media center (April 2025)
Concrete walk along DeSoto (April 2025)
Concrete prep at receiving area (April 2025)
Design Renderings
Project Overview
Project type: New construction
Project timeline: Fall 2023 to fall 2025 (subject to change)
Budget: $89,900,000
Scope of Work
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The new building will model sustainability by including a high-performance building envelope, geoexchange system, and the future installation of photovoltaic panels
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The geoexchange system will be a unique type using groundwater heat exchange – a very clean, energy-efficient system that will require only 4 or 5 wells
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For safe school use and proper stormwater management, strategies will address the site’s significant elevation change (from northwest to southeast sides of the property)
- Inclusive restrooms
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Playground for elementary and early childhood programs along with a general play area
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Separated parent and bus drop-offs
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Staff and visitor parking (limited)
School building will be relocated to east side of property
The first image below shows the location of the current school building located on the west side of the property (left side of image). The new school building will be built on the east side of the property (right side of image). The current building will be demolished once the new building is completed. The bus drop off/pick up will be located on the north side.
Design feedback from families
We would also like to thank families for providing feedback about what you would like to see at the new school at Bruce Vento’s Back to School Night. Here are the results of what we heard that evening:
MONTHLY PROJECT UPDATE
May 2025 (see archive of past updates of all capital projects)
CONTACT INFORMATION
Pam Bookhout
Project Manager
Facilities Department
C: 651-783-6741
pamela.bookhout@spps.org
Download the project summary: