The East Greenbush Central School District hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday afternoon on the Columbia High School campus to kickoff its $116 million capital project. With shovels in hand and hard hats on their heads, Superintendent Jeff Simons, members of the Board of Education, students and coaches from the Columbia tennis teams, district staff, and town government officials celebrated the beginning of this transformational project.

The “Building a Bright Future” Capital Project was approved by voters on May 21, 2024. It 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.

Columbia girls’ tennis players and coaches at the Capital Project Groundbreaking Ceremony

Construction for Phase 1A began last week, which will include replacement of the tennis courts, basketball courts, and roof at Columbia.

The capital project will improve facilities and grounds at all seven schools and 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.

The estimated cost for the proposed project is $116 million, but due to state building aid and expiring debt, there would be no additional impact to local taxpayers.

“This is the beginning of a big project that the community generously supported,” Mr. Simons said at the groundbreaking ceremony. “It’s an exciting day and we’re really proud to be starting with something that will benefit both the students and the community.”