Building a Community Around Our Schools
By Mike Eichhorn, AIA, LEED AP
Principal and Educational Planner
Wold Architects and Engineers
Facility renovation that includes community use is always a hot topic. School business officials have a lot to consider when it comes to upgrading, rebuilding or reimagining your buildings. Obviously, the funding must be in place. As time has progressed, new considerations have been coming into play for spaces once solely planned for educational use in schools. These buildings have become a regular gathering place for community groups, local sports and career training.
Community use in schools has become a regular occurrence. While organizations previously utilized whatever was available, it has become beneficial for both the district as well as the community when spaces are planned from the beginning for dual use in mind. Not only can this forethought lead to potential funding for your district, it also builds goodwill with your community, strengthening a relationship that should last for decades. That starts with planning, and the planning starts day one.