Board discusses new LHS campus
By LISA CARNLEY Staff Writer

Architects and builders made a presentation Monday night to the Lampasas Independent School District Board of Trustees on the new high school's schematic design.

LISD voters in May passed a $48.85 million bond issue that will provide a new high school campus, construct an east-end elementary school and renovate various other campuses in the district.

On hand were Jason Andrus, project architect with O'Connell Robertson of Austin; Rick Burnight, architect, O'Connell- Robertson; and Blair Williams of Baird/Williams Construction.

An overview of the timeline for high school construction was presented, along with goals and objectives, plus a schematic design.

Construction is expected to begin in March 2008, with occupancy by August 2010.

The campus, designed for 1,600 students, will have a main building of about 207,000 square feet, and a field house of close to 16,200 square feet. Total construction cost is estimated at $34.4 million.

Site development -- which includes parking lots, roads, utilities and lighting, among other items -- is set at $4.58 million, with off-site improvements of $400,000.

Utility costs alone are expected to be about $700,000.

Building expenses are anticipated at $27.6 million, and the field house, athletic fields and courts will cost nearly $1.6 million. A $150,000 contingency fee also is added to the mix.

Andrus presented a design that he and Superintendent Dr. Brant Myers are expected to fine tune in the near future.

The architect said Texas Department of Transportation officials will install a stop light at the campus on U.S. Highway 281 South. A deceleration lane and turn lanes also will be added. There will be one entrance to the high school from the highway.

A 740-space student parking lot is planned but that could change, depending on budget figures, said Andrus.

An 800-seat cafeteria will allow for two lunch periods but has the capacity for more, he said, since the new campus will be closed and students will not be allowed to leave for lunch.

A food court-style eating area will be featured in the cafeteria, with each line offering a specific menu.

A multi-function performance area is set to contain a 3,000- square-foot stage, special acoustics, stage lighting and other amenities.

The building is expected to have five sets of restrooms in the main building, with two elevators and an outdoor eating area.

Second-floor space includes science labs and lecture areas, additional computer labs, a Central Texas College office, a student resource office and other administrative areas.

A Career and Technology Education building will be a freestanding metal structure, as will the physical education building, envisioned to contain a weight room, training room, locker room, public restrooms, equipment storage, coaches' offices and storage.

Said Andrus: "The general concept and individual room sizes may change, but the general layout and concept will work."

Trustees unanimously approved the schematic design.