Next Steps in the project process
PROJECT PROGRESS PHOTOS
ELC Entrance Rendering
ELC Lobby Rendering
Classroom Rendering
Open Media Center Rendering
STEAM Classroom Rendering
Multi-Purpose Space Rendering
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR NEW ELC’S MULTI-PURPOSE SPACE
As our district looks ahead, we also invite our community organizations and businesses to partner with our district to help bring the vision of our new multi-purpose space to life — including spaces for dramatic play and large motor spaces. During the design phase of this project, we received feedback that providing these spaces would be beneficial to our students’ development and be able to serve our community as a whole.
To learn more about how you can get involved, click on the flier image or here to view our sponsorship flier.
The following items are included in the plan for the New Early Learning Center:
Five (5) Early Childhood classrooms
Four (4) Kindergarten classrooms
One (1) Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) classroom
One (1) Future Classroom (Flex)
One (1) Future classroom (Art)
One (1) Future classroom (Music)
One (1) Future classroom (STEAM)
Open Media Center and stacks (book) area
Defined student support areas:
Two (2) Special Education classrooms
Intervention setting (adjacent to Kindergarten)
Sensory room with storage
Social worker space
Speech pathologist space
Administrative Office:
Secure entry
Reception
Offices
Health office with designated toilet room
Conference room
Staff workroom and lounge
Full prep kitchen
Multi-purpose space addition
Project Information
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Bond Referendum Approved by Voters
Albany residents approved the single-question bond referendum to transform the former Albany Hospital into the new Early Learning Center.
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Purchased the Former Albany Hospital
The school board officially purchased the former Albany Hospital on September 13, 2022 to be converted into the new Albany Early Learning Center.
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The Project Oversight Committee (POC) Was formed
POC meetings began in October 2022 and will continue through Fall 2024. These meetings cover safety, design progress, construction progress, FF&E, budget, communications, schedules, and other topics.
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Multi-Purpose space relocated from Initial plan
The new location for the multi-purpose space is the best long-term solution for our district. Cost savings are realized in adjusting the location and it allows for potential future expansion of learning areas off the south and northwest sides of the building.
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COMMUNITY MEETING HELD
On Wednesday, March 8, 2023, a community meeting was held for residents. During this time, district staff and administration, along with representatives from ICS and Wold Architects and Engineers, provided an update on the project and answered questions.
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USER GROUP MEETINGS HELD
From December 2022 through March 2023, ICS and Wold Architects and Engineers met with district staff to discuss the needs for various spaces and programs that will be located at the Albany Early Learning Center.
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Bids have been reviewed and approved
Our school board has reviewed and approved all bids for the new Albany Area Schools Early Learning Center.
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Demolition started at the Early Learning Center
On August 14, interior demolition at the Albany Early Learning Center officially began.
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Groundbreaking Ceremony
On September 20, 2023 Albany Area Schools hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the beginning of construction for the new Early Learning Center.
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The project’s state plan review was approved.
The State of Minnesota’s Department of Labor and Industry examines construction documents and supporting documentation for public building projects like the Albany Early Learning Center. This approval is critical to any project moving forward, and we received approval in November 2023.
comprehensive project timeline
“The State of Minnesota’s Department of Labor and Industry examines construction documents and supporting documentation for public building projects like the Albany Early Learning Center. This approval is critical to any project moving forward, and we received approval in November 2023.”
“New construction is scheduled to begin in fall 2023. The project is expected to be completed by late 2024.
PLEASE NOTE: This timeline is preliminary. The plan is subject to change due to the ongoing design development process, material procurement, and/or budgetary constraints.”
“On September 20, 2023 Albany Area Schools hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the beginning of construction for the new Early Learning Center. ”
“On Monday, August 14, interior demolition at the Albany Early Learning Center officially began.”
“On Wednesday, July 12, our school board reviewed and approved all bids for the Albany Area School Early Learning Center project. A list of awarded contractors can be found here.”
“On Tuesday, April 18, ICS and Wold Architects and Engineers presented the Project Oversight Committee with the final design development drawings and estimates for the Albany Area Schools Early Learning Center. ”
“On Wednesday, March 8, 2023, a community meeting was held for residents. During this time, district staff and administration, along with representatives from ICS and Wold Architects and Engineers, provided an update on the project and answered questions. ”
“We held several rounds of user group meetings starting in December 2022 through March 2023. ICS, along with Wold Architects and Engineers, met with district staff discuss the needs for early childhood classrooms, kindergarten classrooms, art and music classrooms, the media center, the multi-purpose addition, the administrative suite, food service spaces, the overall floorplan, and any other associated programs that will be located at the Albany Early Learning Center. ”
“District received bond proceeds. Bond proceeds are invested until the funds are needed to pay project costs.”
“POC meetings began in October 2022 and will continue through Fall 2024. These meetings cover safety, design progress, construction progress, FF&E, budget, communications, schedules, and other topics.
Recent conversations include the scope and schedule for abatement, redesigning the initial location for the multi-purpose space, project budgets and costs, and procuring technology hardware.
POC meetings occur every two weeks on Tuesday mornings. ”
“The district’s existing bond rating, A+, was affirmed through the S&P’s bond rating process. Ehlers, the district’s financial advisor, received and evaluated bids for the bonds. Bond sale results were presented and awarded at the October school board meeting.”
“The Board of Education officially purchased the former Albany Hospital on September 13, 2022 to be converted into the new Albany Early Learning Center. ”
“Albany residents approved the single-question bond referendum to transform the former Albany Hospital into the new Early Learning Center.”
Building Project FAQs
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One of our goals is to use the space in the ELC as efficiently as possible. In addition, we have one flex classroom and three other spaces that can be easily converted to serve as classrooms if needed. The new ELC provides enough space to serve our students now and into the future as we continue to grow.
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There are currently no plans to expand the ELC as the space effectively accommodates the space we need today and into the future. However, part of the design process includes creating a master plan for any future additions to ensure the site would adequately provide additional space, including classrooms and collaborative learning areas off of the south and northwest sides of the building. In addition, the south entrance hall into the ELC would likely need to be expanded, the administrative offices would need to be reconfigured to provide an additional corridor to the south part of the building, and a dedicated cafeteria space would need to be constructed adjacent to the current kitchen facility. If the ELC is expanded, other items like parking, bus traffic, etc. would need to be re-evaluated to adequately serve the facility.
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We’re fortunate to have a supportive community that sees the value in investing in learners of all ages. We’re excited to have a space that is specifically designed to serve and nurture our youngest learners before entering elementary school. The new ELC will be a unique facility for our region. We’re thankful that residents said “yes” to investing in a multi-faceted facility that not only teaches our students but connects our community members to our district, and one another, in a variety of ways.
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Although specifics about community member access have not been finalized, a process for community access will be created, similar to how the BECC is currently managed. It is likely that community members would likely have access to the MPS a few nights per week after 5:30 p.m. and on the weekends during scheduled times to utilize large motor equipment and dramatic play spaces. Please note that there are no basketball hoops or sport lines in the design of the MPS and no practices or competitions will be held in that space.
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Yes, child care/Kids Company will be available similar to what’s provided in our current elementary schools. Preschool will likely be housed in the flex room and kindergarten will likely be housed in the MPS.
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Although the MPS addition will change the configuration of the current parking lot, the district is working with our project team to analyze potential parking lot configurations to minimize any lost parking.
Albany Area Schools In The News
“Full Steam Ahead on Albany’s Early Learning Center” | Star Post | 1.10.24
“Albany Area Learning Center Design Development Phase Almost Complete” | Star Post | 4.26.23
“Next Steps for Renovated Early Learning Center” | Star Post | 12.14.22
“Albany School Board Discusses Possible Changes in Multi-Purpose Building” | Star Post | 1.18.23
Albany Area Schools Huskie Howl Newsletter - 11.18.22
Make sure to check back regularly for updates as we move forward with this exciting process!