Education Groundbreaking

Gilbane and S/L/A/M Break Ground on Schools

Olney School groundbreaking

North Providence, RI – Gilbane Building Company and The S/L/A/M Collaborative, Inc. recently joined North Providence Olney and McGuire schools; Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo; state, town, and school officials; teachers and students for a groundbreaking ceremony on the Olney School grounds.

The former two schools were demolished in the summer of 2017 and will be replaced simultaneously with two new 63,500sf buildings to accommodate grades K-5 for each school. Completion of the new facilities is expected for the 2019 to 2020 school year.

Gilbane Building Company will provide construction management services, and SLAM has completed the design and programming/planning for the redevelopment of the existing sites to support the construction of the new school buildings.

The buildings’ design will provide maximum exposure to natural light and support the curriculum. Smaller learning communities will be organized by grade-level clusters to enhance interactions among learners, increase a feeling of belonging and inclusion, and facilitate teamwork.

Within each grade cluster, a learning commons is provided to facilitate small group learning and interaction among grade levels. This new concept in early education replaces the traditional hallway with educational spaces. Outdoor spaces will serve as an extension of the educational, athletic, and community programs.

“We are pleased to partner with the North Providence school department and Gilbane in creating age-appropriate, collaborative, and inclusive learning environments that support the curriculum to educate students well into the future,” says Glenn Gollenberg, AIA, SLAM principal-in-charge.

“The new buildings will also benefit the surrounding community, offering a variety of spaces that will accommodate differing activities,” he added.

“The commitment to investing in the future of education in North Providence is evidenced in the genuine partnership with the mayor and town of North Providence officials, the residents of North Providence, the Rhode Island Department of Education, SLAM, and Superintendent Bridget Morisseau. It truly is inspiring,” notes Gilbane senior project executive, Bill Bryan. “Gilbane is proud to serve the residents and students of North Providence, and we believe this program will serve as the future model for the next generation of schools in Rhode Island.”