Untold Mysteries of the New Building
As most have probably noticed, there’s a bit of upheaval going on behind and beside the school building and Project Manager of the
Construction Site, George Thomas sheds some light on the construction and future plans for the school.
For those wondering what will go on the site of the old school building once it is knocked down, Thomas has an answer: “The upper fields of the new school [will go there]. Once the old building has been abated, torn down systematically, and everything is recycled, there will be a lit track field, stadium, five tennis courts, and an artificial turf field.” The fields are projected to be finished by 2014, but the new school building is to be completed by March of 2012.
But Carver’s campus isn’t the only thing that will receive some major upgrades. Carver will have an auditorium that will seat twelve hundred people. Thomas says, “The County government will have access to it as it does with all Baltimore County public schools as a dual use agreement.” The agreement gives the county the ability to use the school’s facilities. Theater Department Chair and Teacher Matthew Bowerman adds, “The new school’s auditorium will be a showpiece for Baltimore County Public Schools, the administrations staff, and the local government. They will be able to utilize the space for social functions, art and technology functions, and in or out of school functions. It can also be used for meetings and graduations. Some of the income for the school will come from renting out the space to other local, state, or national organizations, and to companies i.e. touring dance companies.” The size of the auditorium will increase in size to such an extent that Thomas says, “It will be the biggest school theater in Baltimore County.”
That’s not all that is being augmented; the student population is also going to increase. Currently there are approximately 740 students; the new building will have a population of around 1200 students, with the addition of an instrumental music prime. Principal Karen Steele comments, “At this time the numbers [for how the population will be broken down by prime] have not been finalized.”
Among all of the other changes the new building will be going green. Thomas tells, “[The new Carver building is a] Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified building.” This means that “a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across all the metrics that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.”* Thomas also comments that “[The new building is] environmentally friendly and economically feasible. It will be a state-of-the-art infrastructure, with both geothermal and conventional heating and cooling systems.” Geothermal heating utilizes natural heat from the ground; a couple feet under the earth’s surface, the ground remains at a constant temperature of 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, and new technology and methods can be used to tap into this natural heat in order to circulate it through the building.
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Many people have been distraught, if not vocal, about the demolition of the trees that used to surround Carver Center, but there’s no need to fret. Thomas explains: “There is a reforestation program which is a Baltimore County guideline.” This means that a new tree will be planted for each tree that is cut down. Typically, trees are planted on the property that is being developed, but because there will not be enough land left for trees when the school is finished, each new tree will be planted somewhere else in Baltimore county. The old trees used to reduce runoff from the parking lots and driveway of Carver. However, the new school will feature a retention pond to take up this important function. The retention pond catches all runoff water (or as much as possible) and prevents pollution, erosion, and flooding. Plants can grow on the outside of the pond and create wetlands; animals can live there which establishes a mini-ecosystem. |
For those wondering what will go on the site of the old school building once it is knocked down, Thomas has an answer: “The upper fields of the new school [will go there]. Once the old building has been abated, torn down systematically, and everything is recycled, there will be a lit track field, stadium, five tennis courts, and an artificial turf field.” The fields are projected to be finished by 2014, but the new school building is to be completed by March of 2012.
But Carver’s campus isn’t the only thing that will receive some major upgrades. Carver will have an auditorium that will seat twelve hundred people. Thomas says, “The County government will have access to it as it does with all Baltimore County public schools as a dual use agreement.” The agreement gives the county the ability to use the school’s facilities. Theater Department Chair and Teacher Matthew Bowerman adds, “The new school’s auditorium will be a showpiece for Baltimore County Public Schools, the administrations staff, and the local government. They will be able to utilize the space for social functions, art and technology functions, and in or out of school functions. It can also be used for meetings and graduations. Some of the income for the school will come from renting out the space to other local, state, or national organizations, and to companies i.e. touring dance companies.” The size of the auditorium will increase in size to such an extent that Thomas says, “It will be the biggest school theater in Baltimore County.”
That’s not all that is being augmented; the student population is also going to increase. Currently there are approximately 740 students; the new building will have a population of around 1200 students, with the addition of an instrumental music prime. Principal Karen Steele comments, “At this time the numbers [for how the population will be broken down by prime] have not been finalized.”
| Though everything about the school will be brand new, don’t fear because there will be mementoes from the old building. Thomas assures that “the column in the photo room is going to be placed in the new building.” For the things that can’t be transported, photo documentation of the art studios and existing building will be taken by The Oaks Construction and BCPS and placed in a time capsule located in the new building. Steele says, “No decisions have been made yet [as to where the capsule is going to be located and what else to put in it]. This decision will involve input from the students and faculty before anything is included and will occur as we get closer to the time for it to be placed in the new building.” Another thing that will remain in the new building will be the spaces for showing art. Thomas explains, “There will be plenty of display areas for art throughout the new building.” |  |
Among all of the other changes the new building will be going green. Thomas tells, “[The new Carver building is a] Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified building.” This means that “a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across all the metrics that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.”* Thomas also comments that “[The new building is] environmentally friendly and economically feasible. It will be a state-of-the-art infrastructure, with both geothermal and conventional heating and cooling systems.” Geothermal heating utilizes natural heat from the ground; a couple feet under the earth’s surface, the ground remains at a constant temperature of 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, and new technology and methods can be used to tap into this natural heat in order to circulate it through the building.
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Thomas concludes, “So far there have been no difficulties. It’s going to be a big and awesome building that alumni and current students will
be proud of.” ~Sami Nudelman |
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- This major fundraiser features student displays, demonstrations, performances and food along with a silent auction and art auction.
Save the Date: April 9, 2011 - Select your opportunity to enhance our community working alongside students, families and faculty at Carver Center.
