Rolla Public Schools has selected S. M. Wilson & Co. as General Contractor for the district’s new 46,000-square-foot Early Childhood Center in Rolla, Missouri.
The $8.3 million project involves converting and renovating the former Columbia College-Rolla into a space to house all of the district’s Pre-K and early childhood programming. Scheduled to complete in 2026, the centralized facility will more than double the program capacity to approximately 350 students, allow full-day programming and alleviate strains at the campuses where the ECC programs are currently held.
The project involves interior demolition of the existing building and erection of steel structures to increase the square footage of the building’s second level. New construction features include a kitchen, bathrooms and classrooms. Acoustical upgrades will improve the learning environment and the existing mechanical infrastructure will be re-purposed and modified. Exterior improvements include new asphalt and concrete paving, landscaping and turf play areas.
The project also will add tenant space for a pediatric medical and dental services clinic with a separate public entrance. The architect is Hoener Architects and is working closely with Rolla Public Schools to design a flexible, adaptive-reuse facility that supports early learners, educators and expanded community-based services.
The project is funded by Rolla Public Schools, Phelps County Community Foundation (PCCF), Chymiak Family Foundation, Four Rivers.
