Magee Middle School update

Published by: Admin Department
Date Posted: 2/27/2007

Magee Middle School

The oldest of eight schools operated by Round Lake Area School District 116, Magee Middle School was constructed in 1922 on a 10-acre site on Cedar Lake Road. Enrollment spikes over the next six decades prompted building additions to the school in 1950, 1960, 1974 and 1982.

Multiple code violations with the facility’s HVAC, electrical, plumbing and roofing systems, unfortunately, prompted Magee to be shuttered in 2003.

Seeking input on Magee from the Round Lake community in summer 2005, Gilfillan Callahan Architects posed to residents these three scenarios: demolish and build a new school ($22 million); a partial demolition with two major additions ($15 million); or extensive repairs and renovations ($5 million).

Extensive interviews with residents—followed by a public forum—pointed to the middle option as the most cost-effective way to re-open the 86,450 square foot school. Showing their support at the polls, area voters approved a $17 million referendum in March 2005 for the Magee project, as well as air conditioning upgrades at Indian Hill, Murphy, Ellis and Beach elementary schools, and classroom renovations at Round Lake High School.

At an October 2006 presentation to the Round Lake Area Community School District 116 school board, architects unveiled conceptual designs for a $12 million project at Magee. The project will retain the former Magee gymnasium, while adding a new cafeteria/multi-purpose room and library. The price tag includes extensive asbestos abatement activities.

Demolition will begin in spring 2007, with completion set for the start of the new school year in August 2008. Wisconsin-based Seater Construction Company will manage construction activities for the school district.