Niles School District 71 has started the process of expanding the Culver School.
The project would call for a two-story addition to the southwest corner of the building at 6901 W. Oakton in Niles. The project, expected to cost about $14.5 million, would add 25,000 sq. ft. to the existing 100,000 sq. ft., while renovating about 6,000 sq. ft. inside.
The new space will allow some existing space to be configured to better suit the needs of students and their families. The library will be completely remodeled, and music and band rooms on the west side of the building will be converted into early childhood classrooms that will have a separate entrance and dedicated outdoor play space for the young children. The music rooms will be relocated to the new space and an orchestra room added.
The addition also will contain a new combination gym and fine arts stage space. The second floor of the addition will include two new state-of-the-art STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) classrooms and an outdoor green roof that will also serve as educational space.
Gilbane Building Co. will manage the construction of the project.
Construction is expected to begin in summer 2022, with completion expected before the beginning of school in fall 2023.
