Brier Creek Groundbreaking Ceremony
June 1, 2005--The Wake County Public School System, City of Raleigh and Wake County put their gold shovels to good use June 1, breaking ground for the new Brier Creek Elementary School, community center and community park. The site is located off Brier Creek Parkway, a couple miles past the shopping center.
Despite chilly temperatures and a constant drizzle, about 60 people came out to support the joint project. Board of Education Vice Chair Patti Head served as emcee and thanked everyone for their role in making Brier Creek a reality. The crowd also heard comments from Superintendent Bill McNeal,
Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker and Wake County Commissioners Vice Chair Tony Gurley. Katherine Peele with LS3P/Boney Architects presented drawings and a model of what the school will look like when it opens for the 2006-07 school year.
“We’re here today as a result of the successful October 2003 school bond referendum,” said McNeal. “We’re here because our community values education and understands that there’s a strong correlation between good facilities, like the one that will open here in 2006, and high academic achievement.”
Brier Creek Elementary will hold a little more than 600 students, and will be built from the same two-story design seen at Baileywick and Jeffrey’s Grove elementary schools. (The design will be used at Forest Pines Drive and Sanford Creek as well.) The school will have a standard multi-purpose field, play areas for kindergarten through second grade and for third grade through fifth grade; the community center includes a full-size gym and community classrooms; and the park will have two fields plus nature trails.
“I’m proud to be a part of this celebration,” said Head. “This is a great example of what we can accomplish by working together.”
Funding comes from WCPSS PLAN 2004 and PLAN 2000, city of Raleigh, and Wake County. The total project budget is approximately $16.7 million, and includes furniture, equipment and all fees.
Drawings:
First Floor
Second Floor