New Trier overhaul

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  http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/education/chi-new-trier-remodel-north-zoneoct23,0,3376153.story 
 
  New Trier debates $185 million overhaul at Winnetka campus
  Plan includes new field house, cafeteria and library

By Georgia Garvey
Tribune reporter
October 23, 2009

  The New Trier school district has unveiled plans for a $185 million expansion and renovation of the Winnetka high school campus -- a sweeping overhaul that would include a new field house, cafeteria, library and classrooms.

  The proposal focuses on some of the oldest parts of the school, including a cafeteria built in 1912 and a technology arts building from 1931, both of which will be torn down and replaced, officials said. Under the plan, the field house would get an NCAA regulation-size track, plus indoor volleyball courts and a climbing wall.

  The New Trier Township School District 203 school board needs to approve the plan and decide whether to submit it to voters in February. That decision likely will come next month.

If approved, taxpayers could expect to pay up to $335 more a year on a $10,000 tax bill, starting in 2011, district officials said. There is a chance any increase wouldn't take effect until 2012, said Don Goers, associate superintendent.

At a board meeting earlier this week, residents weighed in on both sides. Critics pointed to the effect on taxes as well as on the project's substantial size. Some cited the bleak economic climate as reason to limit or delay the work.

Herbert Sorock of Wilmette said he doesn't oppose facility upgrades, just not "anywhere near the expenditure of $200 million."

"It certainly exceeds the need, in my opinion," Sorock said after the meeting. "I don't think the community can afford this."

Other residents worried the new field house will bring more traffic to an already congested area. Catherine King, who lives near the Winnetka campus, said she and neighbors cherish the summers, when parents and teachers aren't driving through the neighborhood.

"It's nice and quiet, and we need that," she said.

At least half a dozen residents spoke in support of the plan. Some argued that current prices on buildings and materials are low and that this would be a good time to move forward.

Onnie Scheyer, a Glencoe resident and former school board member, said after the meeting that the cost of construction "is only going to go up."

"I think everybody there agreed that some things need to be done," said Jim Koch, school board president. "I'll pony up" by paying higher taxes. "Somebody did it for me."

New Trier High School has two campuses, a freshman site in Northfield and another for sophomores, juniors and seniors in Winnetka. Proposed upgrades are only for the Winnetka campus. More than 4,000 students attend both schools, and about 1,000 are freshman.

Mark Jolicoeur of Perkins and Will, the architect firm hired by the district, said new buildings could provide savings on utility bills. The field house, library and classrooms have been designed to reduce the amount of artificial light needed. Architects also planned other "green measures," he said.

The project's estimated $185 million cost includes construction and such extras as furniture, he said.

The proposal calls for an underground parking facility. Architects plan to move tennis courts and build an "inter-campus" drive to direct student drop-offs and pickups.

Plans are to break ground in summer of 2010 with completion two years later.

School officials said they hope to keep disruptions to a minimum. Architects plan to erect temporary rooms to offset the reduced space during construction. A road will be built early in the process to improve traffic flow through campus.

Football and soccer games are currently played at the Northfield campus, and field hockey games will be moved there as well. Supt. Linda Yonke said the new gym will be built before the old one is demolished. During construction, the cafeteria will be moved to another campus location