Gilbane Building Company Celebrates Ribbon Cutting of Bristol County Agricultural High School
Representatives from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), alongside local and state officials from Bristol County joined the Bristol Aggie community and the Gilbane and HMFH teams to celebrate the official ribbon cutting of the 196,000-SF Bristol County Agricultural High School campus expansion and renovation project.
Increasing enrollment by nearly 190 students, the phased project included the addition of a new Student Commons, Center for Science and the Environment (CSE), a state-of-the-art robotic dairy barn as well as the renovation of Gilbert Hall and the agricultural mechanics building.
During ceremonial remarks, expressing her gratitude for the project and all involved, Superintendent Adele Sands said, “Bristol Aggie is an extraordinary place. The students deserve the buildings that support the education they receive every day – and now we have them, thanks to all of you.” In outlining the uniqueness of the new and improved campus and what it means for the Bristol Aggie students and the surrounding community, Sands noted, “In our new Center for Science and the Environment, we now have a natural history museum and state-of-the-art labs. On a recent visit, the U. S. Department of Fisheries and Wildlife was quick to point out that we have one of the best facilities in the area and they would like us to be part of federal projects involving illegal wildlife trade and confiscation.”
Students and faculty now enjoy a 74,000-SF CSE building that houses multiple programs, including Natural Resource Management, Environmental Engineering – which includes Aggie Air & Research Center, the school’s drone program, the Small Animal Program, and all new science laboratory classrooms.
The new Student Commons acts as the centerpiece of the sprawling renovated campus and provides students with a place to gather and collaborate. It also houses the cafeteria and media center.
Connecting each side of the campus is a pedestrian walkway, complete with an amphitheater-style, landscaped gathering area for the campus community.
“Bristol Aggie is a special place and has an exceptional administration and faculty, student body, and alumni association who comprise its community. Extraordinary educational experiences are delivered on this campus, and we are so pleased to have been a part of this community and the school’s transformation”, said Mike O’Brien, senior vice president and business unit leader for Gilbane. “This project wasn’t without its complexities, considering it began just months before the pandemic. All the project team members came together and persevered despite the many challenges as evidenced by the amazing results. We are thrilled to be a part of Bristol Aggie’s community and its legacy.”
This fall, at the annual Fall Show, the community will gather once again to celebrate the completion of the state-of-the-art robotic dairy, which includes an observation lab and room for the school’s 30-cow herd.
About Gilbane Building Company
Gilbane provides a full slate of construction and facilities-related services – from pre-construction planning and integrated consulting capabilities to comprehensive construction management, general contracting, design-build and facility management services – for clients across various markets. Founded in 1870 and still a privately held, family-owned company, Gilbane has more than 45 office locations worldwide. For more information, visit www.gilbaneco.com.
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