Illinois Middle School Starts Work on Renovation Projects

By Eric Althoff

BREESE, Ill.—Designer Cordogan Clark and general contractor Poettker Construction joined personnel from Central School District #104 for a groundbreaking ceremony at Joseph Arthur Middle School to kick off some overall improvements to the campus. The updates entail 26,900 square feet of expansion in addition to 10,900 square feet of light renovation at the middle school.

Additions will include a competition-level gymnasium that will also serve as the campus’s storm shelter. Other new areas include a modern commercial kitchen as well as a wing of classrooms for grades 4 through 6. Renovations will be undertaken to the entrance lobby to help facilitate better walking traffic.

“This addition is greatly needed to accommodate our ever-growing student population and allow us to be competitive with our surrounding school communities,” Dr. Gabrielle Rodriguez, Superintendent of Central 104, said at the groundbreaking. “We are confident in Poettker Construction and Cordogan Clark’s ability to deliver a more safe, modern, and welcoming learning environment for our middle school students.”

“The Poettker Team is thrilled to collaborate with Central School District #104 to expand the district’s middle school educational and multi-purpose facilities,” said Jon Carroll, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer at Poettker. “We are excited to continue our partnership and deliver an enhanced learning environment for the district.”

The campus improvements are anticipated to be ready for the 2024-2015 school year.

Poettker Construction Company, founded in 1980, provides such services as general contracting, construction management and design-build.