Radnor School District ADA Accessibility Project Ready To Go

RADNOR TOWNSHIP, PA — Work to create a fully ADA-compliant campus at Radnor High School will begin next month after bids that went 18 percent over budget.

Contract bids totaling $24.38 million were approved unanimously by the Radnor Township School Board so the ADA Accessibility and Wellness Infrastructure Project can break ground in April.

The project will create a fully accessible campus. It addresses long-standing safety and renovation needs at several high-use areas of Radnor High School, the district said. Bids were awarded in the March 9 board meeting for general, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing construction.

The approved bids ran over budgeted estimates made in December 2020 of $21.6 million. Yet public comments in the March 9 meeting expressed support for "moving forward" with the project that has been in the works for several years. The review of bids presented in February can be viewed here.

The district said the $24.38 million investment in new construction will address outdated and inaccessible facilities at Prevost and Encke fields, including new bleachers and seating on both fields, new walkways and ramps, and an adequately sized concession stand and field house between the fields, as well as the RHS pool area, fitness room, and locker rooms and bathrooms.

The general construction bid was awarded to E.R. Stuebner, Inc. For $17,132,000; the plumbing bid to Jay R. Reynolds for $1,393,500; the HVAC bid to Guy M. Cooper at $2,608,550; and the electrical bid to Electri-Tech, Inc. for $3,248,000.

"I am grateful to the Project Steering Committee, who volunteered countless hours gathering community input; provided valuable insight on what facility improvements were needed; and created a plan that is truly inclusive and responsive to the needs of the community," said School Board President Susan Stern.

"At a time when student wellness is at the forefront of everyone’s minds, this project cannot get started fast enough. We must, as a district, always be thinking about and planning for how students learn, and what is necessary to develop the whole student. These additions and improvements to the high school will fill crucial needs, for our students and the entire community,” Stern added.

Completion of the work is expected by fall 2022.

"On behalf of the district, we thank every person who helped us bring the concept of this important project to reality," said RTSD Superintendent Ken Batchelor.

"I am excited for the positive impact the renovations and attention to accessibility will have not only on our students but on every person from Radnor and beyond who visits our facilities. The collective work to reach this point has been remarkable, and the dedication of the volunteers and staff to see the project through amidst a pandemic is even more incredible. We look forward to a renewed Radnor High School for all," said Batchelor.

A groundbreaking ceremony is being planned for April 2021 with more details to be shared in the coming weeks, the district said.

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