New Trier Building Replacement the Topic at Feb. 10 Meeting

All New Trier Township residents are invited to a special meeting of the District 203 Board of Education on Monday, Feb. 10, to share their input as three design teams present ideas for a potential project to replace three aging, inefficient buildings on New Trier’s Winnetka Campus.

The District and Board of Education have been studying solutions for New Trier’s Winnetka Campus facilities since an unsuccessful 2010 referendum that would have modernized a large portion of the campus. Community members cited that project’s size, cost, and the timing of the referendum as the major factors in their decision to vote against it.

In 2013, the Board endorsed the Facilities Steering Committee’s recommendation to explore a smaller and less costly project focusing on three adjacent buildings that are among the oldest on campus: the 1912 Cafeteria, 1931 Tech Arts building, and 1950 Music building. Unlike the 2010 proposal, this targeted project would not include a new gym, field house, fitness facilities, or underground parking.

Three architectural design teams will present potential solutions that address the academic needs of students, energy inefficiencies, wasted space, and accessibility for people with disabilities. Requirements for a potential project include new classrooms and science labs, additional library space, and a multipurpose cafeteria/meeting/study space.

The teams will present their concepts and drawings at the Feb. 10 meeting on the Northfield Campus, 7 Happ Road. Drawings and conceptual designs will be on display beginning at 5 p.m., and the meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in Room C234.

Members of the public may share their feedback either during the public comment portion of the meeting or on comment cards available in Room C234. The Board is expected to choose a design team at its regular meeting on Feb. 18.

This meeting is an important part of New Trier’s outreach as it seeks public input on its facilities in the coming months. The District will hold public meetings, tours, and other opportunities to provide feedback as it seeks to create and refine a potential project with the community.