WESTFIELD – Five Westfield Vocational-Technical High School students will be attending class for some time this spring at Westfield High School, at least until they complete construction of a garage and field maintenance equipment and storage facility.
The School Committee voted last night to approve construction of a 30-by-30-foot structure next to the Boardman Field athletic area located behind WHS. Principal Raymond Broderick said the 900-square-foot facility would be used to house the 15-passenger van used to transport students to athletic events and other after-school programs. The building will also house equipment used in the maintenance of the athletic fields.
Broderick said that Boardman Fields, which will be put into services for the first time next fall, will provide a sufficient facility to conduct most games and practices on the school campus.
The garage/storage building will be located adjacent to the greenhouse facility and provide two storage areas, one to house items for the new athletic field and the other for general maintenance items.
The construction will be carried out by students from the Westfield Vocational Technical High School, providing those students will another hands-on opportunity to learn design and construction practices, Committeeman Kevin Sullivan said when introducing the motion to approve the project.
Sullivan said the garage and storage areas will “extend the longevity” of the van, maintenance and field equipment by keep those items out of the elements.
Broderick said the project is being financed through the athletic revolving account.
“We don’t have a final figure yet,” Broderick said. “but the whole project should be under $30,000.”
Broderick and Mayor Daniel M. Knapik discussed the construction schedule for the garage and the other major construction project the WVTHS students are doing for the city, the Park Square Green Pavilion. Knapik said the two projects should not overlap if the concrete footings for the garage can be installed soon, allowing construction to begin early next year.
While the School Committee was in session, the Park & Recreation Committee, meeting in the room down the hall, were approving a contract for architectural documentation to complete the design of the pavilion project, documents needed by the WVTHS project participants to generate parts lists for the actual construction of the structure later this spring.
