2022 | Tabor City and West Columbus PreK-8 Schools | Columbus County, NC
In 2016, both the past and current County Commissioners and School Board sought to improve the existing school buildings in Columbus County, which were in much need of an upgrade. After decades of use, the schools were not only obsolete, but consuming excess energy and thereby impacting cost and efficiency. The Board commissioned Szostak Design to evaluate all elementary and middle school campuses in the county and to recommend what would be the best solution for their needs. The study recommended that four middle schools and seven elementary schools be replaced with three pre-Kindergartens through Eighth grade campuses. Four of the existing schools would remain.
The system was able to raise funds through a Lottery Fund grant and with low-interest USDA loans to construct two of the three schools. The new schools are now called Tabor City and West Schools. Designed by Szostak Design, the buildings are clean and bright state-of-the-art facilities. They received over $100,000 in rebates from Duke Energy for their high-efficiency lighting and HVAC systems.
The Szostak Design team provided the new schools with many design features that promote sustainability and healthy environments, including appropriately controlled natural light, excellent acoustics and improved indoor air quality. We reduced material that contributes to mold growth by adding walk-off mats at exterior entrances to avoid bringing in contaminants. We used bright finish colors to provide a cheerful environment and all building corridors have a view of the outside. We added multiple playgrounds to cater to the needs of several levels of play. Other outdoor spaces serve as classrooms for reading, drama, band and art.
Both West Columbus and Tabor City schools were completed on budget and on time, with no change orders and at least $35 per square foot below the median state school costs at the time they were bid. Above all, we designed and built them to last another century.