Possible view of new GES main entrance from bus loop
Possible view of new GES reception area with transaction window
Possible view of new GES cafeteria, view from main entrance
Possible view of new GES open library from 2nd floor classroom hallway
The New GES Design Committee produced a Design Vision statement during October 2021 that includes four principles to guide their work: The new school will be flexible and adaptable, collaborative and engaging, student-centered and age-appropriate, and connected to the site and nature.
Our architects (lead by Bill Bradley of Stantec) presented a preliminary Schematic Design of the new GES building at the December 14, 2021 School Board meeting. Unfortunately the cost estimate was too high and there were many options considered, including using a different site, redesigning the building, and using the current GES site. In early March 2022, Stantec was asked to redesign a new, more compact school on the original Bulldog Way site and that schematic design was presented to the School Board on March 29, 2022. The latest design with elevations was presented to the School Board on May 10, 2022. We received design development documentation in July and, after incorporating owner and value engineering comments, Stantec presented complete Construction Drawings for the County's permit review process on September 12, 2022. The challenge continues to be how to fund the significantly higher construction costs that are now the new norm.
Merritt (6) shows the architect her design of the new GES at the GES Community meeting.
After serving the learning needs of generations of students, Goochland Elementary will be reborn in 2024 as a new school along Bulldog Way!
The new Goochland Elementary School will be home for 650 K-5 students and 50 preschool students. The new school will be designed for today’s teachers and students and will include a gym and an appropriately sized media center. While design discussions are just beginning, the new school will also include modern security and energy efficiency features and have designated car and bus drop-off and pick-up areas.
We will keep this site up-to-date throughout the design and construction process and will provide our community with opportunities to share their thoughts about elements of the new school.
Sign installed on Bulldog Way site
In the November 2, 2021 bond referendum, Goochland County voters overwhelmingly decided that the County could fund the new GES with General Obligation Bonds. The County and Schools have also budgeted cash from year-end surplus and proffers for this project. The joint boards are also considering additional funding from bond premium and interest.
Learn more about this fiscally responsible funding option on the GVA Bonds Website
We hosted two community meetings to provide opportunities to learn more about the project and give some design input:
September 13 at 6:30 p.m. at Goochland MS/HS
October 18 at 6:30 p.m. at Goochland Elementary
Watch the architect interview a GES student during the 10/18/2021 community meeting.
From October 19-25, 2021 we asked the community for additional design input through an online survey and received 62 great responses which were considered during the Design Charette on 10/28/2021.
The overall project budget was $39,049,774 (11/2020 estimate). Current estimate is $53,027,77 (4/11/2022 independent estimate)*.
Budget to Actual/Estimate 4/12/2022
*As is true throughout the country, construction costs have skyrocketed over the last six months.
Architects: Stantec
Owner Representative/Project Manager: McDonough Bolyard Peck, Inc. (MBP)
Goochland County Public Schools Project Executive Team:
Jeremy Raley, Superintendent
Debbie White, Capital Projects Manager (CFO)
Todd Steeley, Director of Maintenance and Facilities
Design Steering Committee:
GCPS Project Executive Team
Andy Armstrong, Asst. Superintendent Administration
Steve Geyer, Asst. Superintendent, Instruction
Jennifer Waggener, Exec. Dir., Exceptional Education
Tina McCay, Principal, GES
Sarah Brown, Preschool Teacher, GES
Kelley Taylor, Elementary Teacher, GES
Laura Kassner, Community Member
Sandra Barkley, Community Member
Lorena Maier, GHS student
Second Schematic Design - Stantec Presentation 3/29/2021
Project Update and Alternative Options Considered, Dr. Raley presentation to Joint Boards, March 8, 2022.
First Schematic Design - Stantec Presentation 12/14/2021
Images from the GES Design Charette on October 28, 2021:
Images from the GES Design Community Meeting on October 18, 2021:
September 13, 2021 Community Pre-design Presentation (PDF, Stantec)
Images from the Steering Committee's new school tours on September 8, 2021:
