Designs for the reconstruction of Whitefish High School have changed dramatically as the district moves from concept closer to reality.

The new design adds 2,254 square feet and revises the look and feel of the building exterior to incorporate rustic architecture that echoes the lodges of Glacier National Park and the historic Whitefish train depot.

An earthier color scheme, stonework and details such as exposed ceiling rafters in the library are a departure from initial drawings of a more contemporary design with elements such as wall-to-wall windows.

Bayard Dominick of Steeplechase Development Advisors, one of the school’s representatives on the project, said the contemporary concept, first presented during the bond campaign, was drawn up to give voters a visual idea of the possibilities.

“We’ve had more positive feedback on this design. The aesthetic is consistent and unique to Whitefish,” Dominick said.

Faculty members will get their request for a little more “elbow room” with the additional square footage that boosts the total space to 122,754 square feet. If construction costs stay at roughly $140 per square foot, that translates to an additional cost of $315,560.

Dominick said this may impact the district’s budget, but the bottom line is to meet the district’s total budget of $19 million.

“It will be more challenging, but hopefully it won’t be an issue. At the end of the day we have no choice but to meet the district’s overall budget,” Dominick said.

Another revision in the plan includes relocating the library to the second floor rather than building it at ground floor as conceived in initial plans.

The library, however, still will be located on the north side of the school, maintaining it as the room with a view of Big Mountain. Dominick said this change would simplify the exterior look of the building — specifically the roof massing — and position the library as a major hub, a destination, for students to study and learn, he said.  

“The main traffic flow of students to the second floor will go past the library,” Dominick said.

Across from the library will be a computer science and media center.

Administrative offices will be located below the library on the ground level near the school’s main entryway and lobby. The current design concept and budget also allows for designating 2,550 square feet for Whitefish Independent High School. The school would have its own entryway and parking area.

Two new locker rooms have been added to the design — making four total — for home and visiting athletic teams.

There is still $500,000 to raise in private funds to finish and furnish a school performance and lecture hall. Fundraising efforts will be kicked off this fall.

“If we don’t raise the funds the space won’t be finished immediately,” Dominick said.

Dominick’s role as the school district’s representative will be shared with Dow’s Custom Construction. Steeplechase and Dow’s Custom Construction were awarded a $322,500 contract by the district using funds from the bond.

Steeplechase has worked with the school on a $14 million bond passage for the last two and a half years and has received $310,000 for its efforts.

Whitefish School District Superintendent Kate Orozco said the district chose to hire an owner’s representative after learning about the challenges Whitefish Middle School underwent during its remodel.

“We have become extremely aware that many of the challenges they face currently in the middle school were a direct result of not having an owner’s representative there overseeing every step of the design process,” Orozco said.

General contractor and construction manager for the high school project, Langlas and Associates of Bozeman, has begun pre-construction services for the district, working with architects DLR Group and Jackola Engineering and Architecture on refining design specifications and keeping the project on budget.

During the process of hiring a general contractor and construction manager, firms submitted request-for-proposal documents that included project estimates based on available schematics.

Dominick said this was unusual. He said firms typically present samples of past projects they’ve worked on, but the Whitefish School District wanted to review each firm’s approach to making estimates specific to Whitefish High School, with the understanding that information was incomplete, which is why estimates varied.

“The sooner we have a contractor to provide pre-construction services to the architects, the sooner we’ll know accurate estimates of what this building will cost us. At the end of the day no matter which contractor we choose, we have to get to the same number,” Dominick said.

Dominick stressed the estimates are not bids. The bidding process will happen later.

Contractors are updating project estimates. After that is completed, the district will meet with teachers again before making a presentation to Whitefish Board of Trustees in September.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.