Maize district to break ground on middle school project Friday

The Maize school district will officially break ground Friday on the first major project of its $70.7 million bond issue.

Officials say the groundbreaking ceremony, 4:30 p.m. Friday at Maize Middle School, 4600 N. Maize Road, will mark the start of that school’s expansion and renovation as well as other large-scale bond projects.

Last summer, Maize voters approved a bond issue for $70.7 million worth of improvements, including an expansion of Maize Middle School, storm shelters at Maize High, an early childhood center, roof replacements, athletic upgrades and more.

Voters rejected a second measure for a $12.8 million swimming pool and natatorium complex intended to be used by the district and community.

Lori O’Toole Buselt, spokeswoman for the Maize district, said some smaller bond projects already are in progress or completed, such as new turf on the football field at Maize South High.

Hutton Construction was selected as the district’s construction at-risk manager. Schaefer Johnson Cox Frey Architecture is the architect.

Last fall the companies recently presented a construction timeline for bond projects, which shows construction continuing through 2018.

This story was originally published March 31, 2016 at 11:43 AM with the headline "Maize district to break ground on middle school project Friday."