New tennis courts at Columbia High School are included in Phase 1A of the Capital Project, which was approved by the NYS Education Department in November. Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2025.

The East Greenbush Central School District received approval for Phase 1A of the Capital Project last month from the New York State Education Department. Phase 1A includes new tennis courts and basketball courts at Columbia High School and replacement of the Columbia roof.

With state approval, the district can now bid out the project to contractors. Construction is scheduled to begin in Spring 2025.

Additionally, Phase 1B of the Capital Project, which includes Goff athletic fields, a new access road (with parking) connecting Goff and Hays Road, and a new elevator at Goff, has been submitted for approval to the NYS Education Department.

“We are very pleased with the progress we are making on necessary plans and approvals for our facilities and grounds improvements,” said Superintendent Jeff Simons. “We look forward to this Spring when the work to replace tennis courts, the basketball courts and the roof at Columbia High School begins. We have also appreciated the input we have received from our personnel and community who will be utilizing the new facilities.”

The Capital Project, which was approved by voters on May 21, 2024, is anticipated to be completed in six different phases over the next five years due to the scope of the project, working around the school schedule, NYSED timelines, and maximizing state building aid reimbursement to defray the overall cost for local taxpayers.

The Capital Project includes items such as replacement of HVAC systems for improved indoor air quality and adding air conditioning throughout all five elementary schools, classroom additions at elementary schools, library renovations in all schools, new playgrounds, athletic field improvements, upgrades to sidewalks and parking lots, and infrastructure improvements at all schools such as roofs, plumbing, electrical, lighting and general site work.

Design of the new basketball courts at Columbia High School as part of Phase 1A of the Capital Project.

The work selected for Phase 1A was based on the current condition of the Columbia roof, the cost effectiveness of replacing the basketball courts and tennis courts at the same time at one location, the positive community impact of replacing those athletic facilities, and the designs were less complex and could be completed and submitted to the state on a shorter timeline enabling construction to start in the spring.

Other items in the Capital Project, such as library renovations, will require more stakeholder input into the designs. Those design meetings have been taking place this fall.

The proposed project schedule also complies with the state’s maximum cost allowance regulations as Columbia High School is eligible for sufficient state aid reimbursement at this time. Other schools have had work completed within the previous project more recently, which affects the timing of construction within the new project to ensure improvements in those schools maximize state building aid.

Phase 1A Timeline – Columbia Roof and Exterior Basketball and Tennis Courts

• May 28, 2024 – LaBella Associates begins design
• July 29, 2024 – Design plans submitted to NYSED
• November 2024 – Phase 1A receives NYSED approval
• May 2025 – Tentative start of construction on Phase 1A
• September 2025 (Basketball and Tennis Courts) and October 2026 (Roof) – Anticipated Construction completion

Phase 1B Timeline – Goff Athletic Fields, Access Road and Elevator

• July 8, 2024 – LaBella Associates begins design
• November 2024 – Design plans submitted to NYSED
• June 2025 – Anticipated NYSED approval
• November 2025 – Tentative start of construction on Phase 1B
• December 2026 – Anticipated Construction completion

Tentative/Proposed Capital Project Schedule (last updated June 26, 2024)

Listen to a conversation about the Capital Project from a recent episode of our podcast Let’s Learn Together.

FAQ: Capital Project

Q: When will construction start?
A: Construction for the first phase of the project is scheduled to begin in Spring 2025.

Q: What is included in the first phase of the Capital Project?
A: The Columbia High School roof and its outdoor basketball courts and tennis courts.

Q: How was the work for Phase 1A selected?
A: The work for Phase 1A was selected based on the current condition of the Columbia roof, the cost effectiveness of replacing the basketball courts and tennis courts at the same time at one location, the positive community impact of replacing those athletic facilities, and the designs were less complex and could be submitted for NYSED approval quicker, enabling construction to start in the spring. Other items in the Capital Project, such as library renovations and new playgrounds, will require more stakeholder input into the designs.

The proposed project schedule also complies with the state’s maximum cost allowance regulations as Columbia High School is eligible for sufficient state aid reimbursement at this time. Other schools have had work done more recently, limiting their eligibility for state aid. Therefore, work at the other schools will be occurring later in the project timeline.

Q: Why can’t the Capital Project work begin with installing air conditioning in the elementary schools?
A: The schedule of work is based on a number of factors, most notably, the impact on school operations and the NYS Education Department’s regulations regarding eligibility for state reimbursement. School districts have limitations on how much work can be completed at a given school building and how much building aid will be available which affects how much the work may cost. The maximum amount available for each school building is reset every 5 years.

This is called maximum cost allowance. At this time, all of our elementary school buildings are not fully eligible for the maximum available state reimbursement for capital project work because work from previous capital projects was done in the past five years. As time goes on in the capital project, the elementary schools will become eligible once again, and that is when the air conditioning work will begin, as well as, playgrounds, library renovations and other parts of the project.

Additionally, the school district needs to stagger work in the project to ensure competitive pricing on bids and to have proper coverage of the construction manager.

The school district has developed a proposed schedule of work, in coordination with our construction partners LaBella Associates and Turner Construction, to complete all of the work and maintain a tax-neutral project.

Q: How many phases are there in the Capital Project?
A: There are six phases in the Capital Project – 1A, 1B, 2, 3, 4, 5. View tentative/proposed schedule.

Q: How long will it take to complete the entire Capital Project?
A: It is anticipated that the Capital Project will be completed by the end of 2029.

Q: Will the school district provide regular updates to staff, parents and the community regarding the Capital Project?
A: Yes. Superintendent Jeff Simons will provide regular updates at public Board of Education meetings throughout the duration of the Capital Project. Additionally, information will be shared on the school website and other communication channels.

To learn more about the Capital Project, visit www.egcsd.org/capitalproject.