New Construction Projects at Perry Technical Institute

June 19, 2019

Newest Campus Construction Combines Ag Tech Space with Maintenance Operations

After two years of planning and construction, Perry Tech’s newest building is complete. This addition gives students in the Agricultural Equipment Technician program access to an extra 2,000 square feet of lab space. Perry Tech’s Facilities & Safety Department now has a designated area, instead of being spread across campus like they have in years past.

“Internal feedback drove the design and development of the building, “explained Kaila Lockbeam, the Director of Facilities & Safety at Perry Tech. The project broke ground in May 2018 and was completed in January 2019. BORArchitecture collaborated with school staff, Concord Construction provided the general contracting, and students from Perry Tech’s Electrical, HVAC/R, Construction, and Plumbing programs worked on the project in their respective trades.

The high ceiling compliments the 14-foot overhead doors, and allows Ag Tech students to bring in a variety of large equipment to diagnose and repair. This additional space has increased the hands-on lab time for students in the Ag Tech program, which recently added a second instructor and class. 

“Having 2 cohorts, the need for more space became a necessity,” said Christian St. Hilaire, Department Head of the Agricultural Equipment Technician program. “We are still getting settled into using the space to its maximum capacity. The future looks great for the Ag program.”

Now, with the proper facility, both employees and students are able to complete projects more efficiently for the entire campus. The Facilities & Safety Department now has a combined shop and storage location that is functional, meets their needs, and has increased project turnaround time and efficiency. Covered and secured outdoor storage provides shelter for valuable equipment. Additionally, 17 paved parking spots now accommodate employee and department vehicles. An upper mezzanine allows for storage of stock supplies and materials, surplus furniture, department equipment, and lab equipment for various programs.

 

Perry Home Build in West Valley nears Completion

A custom home build is nearing completion in the West Valley area, a project several Perry Tech programs are coming together to complete. Students in Construction, Electrical, HVAC/R, and Plumbing have all been working on the home since they broke ground late last year. The home sits on a 9,216 square foot lot in a developing neighborhood. The main level of the home is 1,791 square feet, the bonus room upstairs measures 336 square feet, and the garage is 576 square feet.

Students are scheduled to complete the home this summer, and it will be up for sale shortly after. Construction Department head Darin Peters described what that moment will feel like, “The thing that I am looking forward most is to see the pride that each student has when the project is complete. I have told them that they will never forget the first home or project they complete and I know this will be true for them.”