March 29, 2024

Governor Raimondo, other state and local officials break ground on the new East Providence High School

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East Providence, RI – Governor Gina M. Raimondo and other state and local officials today joined students, parents, educators, and community members in a groundbreaking ceremony for the new East Providence High School.

The ceremony marked the start of construction on the $189.5-million project, one of the largest to receive funding under the State’s School Construction Program. The 304,000-square-foot, four-story facility, with capacity for 1,600 students in grades 9-12, will open in 2021. Officials hailed it as a state of the-art, comprehensive high school that will serve as an exemplar for school districts throughout New England.

“This ceremony marks a critical milestone in our journey to transform this historic high school and build a bright future for this community,” said Kathryn M. Crowley, Superintendent of the East Providence School District. “The new East Providence High School will provide our students and staff academic, athletic, and enrichment spaces in which to innovate, experiment, and thrive.”
Last November, East Providence residents overwhelmingly approved a bond referendum to finance the project, seizing an opportunity to receive State reimbursement for up to 75 percent of eligible costs.

“Today’s groundbreaking is a sign of progress not just for East Providence, but for all of Rhode Island,” said Governor Raimondo. “This exciting investment in state-of-the-art facilities and hands-on learning experiences will help prepare East Providence students for jobs of the future."

Also on the speaking program was General Treasurer Seth Magaziner, who chaired the Rhode Island School Building Task Force that led to the new investment in school facilities across the state. In November, Rhode Island voters also approved a statewide bond referendum to finance the first phase of the initiative. The Governor has pledged $1 billion in State funds to rebuild and repair school facilities.

Angelica Infante-Green, new Commissioner of the Rhode Island Department of Education, spoke about the importance of modern school buildings for providing high quality teaching and learning.

Other speakers at the event included:
• Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea
• Charles Tsonos, Chair, East Providence School Committee
• Joel Monteiro, East Providence School Committee and Building Committee Co-Chair
• Nathan Cahoon, East Providence City Council and Building Committee Co-Chair
• East Providence Mayor Roberto DaSilva
• State Representative Gregg Amore, who is also Athletic Director at East Providence High School

The program featured performances by the East Providence High School band and chorus. Sixth grade students from Riverside and Martin middle schools in East Providence attended the ceremony, representing the Class of 2025, the first group of students who will spend all four years of high school in the new building.

The project is designed by Ai3 Architects. Gilbane Building Company is the Construction Manager at Risk, and Peregrine Group, in partnership with CGA Project Management, is serving as the Owner’s Project Manager.

The new building will feature 45 core academic classrooms, 10 science labs, two greenhouses, a Library Media Resource Center, and performing arts and music spaces, including a 900-seat auditorium. Academic spaces are designed to align instruction in core subject areas with Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs – including Culinary Arts, Allied Health, Graphic Arts, Construction Technology, Forensic Science, Radio and Television Broadcasting, and others – which will be expanded and enhanced in the new facility.

The campus also will feature new fitness and athletic facilities, including a gymnasium with basketball courts and a walking track, which will be available to the community. Sports facilities will include a new synthetic turf football stadium and regulation track, halftime facility, tennis courts, and new fields for softball, baseball, and lacrosse.

The new school is designed to meet Northeast Collaborative for High Performance Schools (NECHPS) design guidelines. The sustainable design both optimizes energy usage and improves energy efficiency.
For more information, visit www.epbuildingcommittee.com.

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