School Construction

Completed New Building - W.T. Cooke Elementary School

	Original Building Opened 1906
	Construction Start Date July 15, 1998
	Groundbreaking July 31, 1998
	Renovation Completed October, 1999
	Building Dedicated April 30, 2000

Building Facts

Construction Highlights

• During construction all buildings were demolished except an eight year old gymnasium addition located across 15th Street from the existing school. 15th Street was closed and two city blocks became one as the new school straddled the old roadway and adjoined the existing gym.
• The limited land available required a two-story design. The entrance to the school is easily identified by its round brick canopy. Upon entering the lobby, the historical context of the school becomes apparent. A memorial brick wall, made from the original school bricks, dons a picture of Mr. Willoughby T. Cooke, a school board member in the early 1900's.
• The simple t-shaped plan with classrooms grouped by grade level provides an easy orientation for students. Classrooms all have windows for natural lighting and are connected to the data network and media center's intercommunication systems.
• The building also includes the existing gym, which is shared by the community, a cafetorium and stage, modern kitchen, art and music labs, special education and administrative spaces.
• Some of the special finish features include interior column forms in the corridors, occasional interior brick walls, patterned terrazzo floors, a vibrant teal roof color echoed by the operable sash windows. Casework, accent walls and light fixtures tie in with the teal and yellow school colors.