Valley Southwoods CTE Addition

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The Valley Southwoods Freshman High School needed to expand and modernize its facilities to better support career and technical education programs. However, the school faced significant challenges, including outdated central cooling and heating systems and the need for a new space to enhance educational offerings and safety.

Shive-Hattery designed a comprehensive addition and renovation plan with the West Des Moines Community School District. This included the creation of a new Career and Technical Education Wing, a state-of-the-art culinary arts classroom, and significant upgrades to the main entrance and media center. An ICC-500-rated storm shelter was incorporated to ensure the safety of all occupants during severe weather events. Recognizing that the school’s central plant was beyond its service life, the project team replaced the existing 325-ton chiller and 325-ton cooling tower with larger, more efficient systems, including a 380-ton magnetic bearing centrifugal chiller and a 375-ton cooling tower. These upgrades were carefully integrated into the existing mechanical room, ensuring minimal disruption to the facility.

The renovations and additions modernized the school’s infrastructure and significantly enhanced the learning environment, providing students with cutting-edge facilities to explore culinary arts and technical education. Installing a new storm shelter and the upgraded central plant contributed to a safer, more efficient, and resilient school environment, ensuring that Valley Southwoods Freshman High School is well-equipped to support future generations of students.