Town Of Wakefield Releases Update On High School Building Project

Press release from the Town of Wakefield:

WAKEIFLED, MA — The Wakefield Memorial High School Building Project is making significant strides, with crews currently engaged in critical site preparation, culvert work, and foundations as they gear up for the next phase of construction. Recently, eight older-model light poles were removed from the school’s upper parking lot to make way for an expanded lot and new installations. While these lights were functional, they did not meet LEED, energy efficiency, or dark-skies compliance standards, preventing their repurposing on-site.

In a positive twist, the removed light poles will find a new purpose thousands of miles away. The Project’s Construction Manager, BOND Building, has partnered with Build Health International (BHI), a nonprofit organization focused on enhancing access to quality healthcare in resource-constrained areas worldwide. The lights will be utilized at BHI’s new Maternal Center of Excellence in Sierra Leone, which will provide comprehensive outpatient, inpatient, and surgical services.

Site Superintendent Stephanie Crepeau, who has collaborated with BHI on past projects, played a pivotal role in facilitating this donation. “This was a true team effort,” noted Crepeau, reflecting on the seamless exchange organized last month. “I am so impressed with our construction team, Town staff, and external partners for their effort in making this such a smooth process. Knowing these lights can be repurposed in a meaningful way is a real highlight in the work we’ve done thus far.”

BHI coordinated the logistics of the donation, ensuring the light poles were transported at no cost to the Town. This initiative not only exemplifies sustainable practices in construction but also underscores the importance of community engagement and global outreach.

Upcoming Progress Meeting

On October 10 at 7 p.m., the project team will host a meeting to provide an update on construction progress. Those who would like to attend in person can come to The Savings Bank Theatre in Wakefield Memorial High School, located at 60 Farm Street. A virtual option is also available; view the meeting agenda and Zoom link. Questions about the project can be directed to info@wakefieldmhsproject.com.

This press release was produced by the Town of Wakefield.The views expressed here are the author’s own.