Bolivar School District | Middle School Safe Room

Spanning the years before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic and the unpredictable market conditions that resulted thereafter, the Bolivar Middle School Safe Room project was in the making for over 5 years, and involved multiple NOIs and multiple funding changes.  Today, the completed Bolivar Middle School FEMA Safe Room consists of approximately 8,600 square feet of multipurpose gymnasium space with a mezzanine, restrooms, and supporting spaces.  The new facility stands proud with lighted exterior signage that glows with Liberator pride for all to see.

The project site included several different existing grades that the facility would need to connect to.  Due to the footprint of the new building, the district had limited options of where to locate HVAC rooftop units.  The design team came up with a creative solution to locate the RTUs atop a raised equipment platform that allowed for occupied space beneath the units.  Foot traffic between the buildings can now take advantage of the covered connection between buildings.  The adjacent parking lot and remainder of the site supports a future addition in the coming years.