In 2016, the Wheaton taxpayers approved a $1 million bond issue for a FEMA shelter to be built on district property.
Originally, the district aimed to build a practice facility or gymnasium that would replace the current gymnasium that would double as a tornado shelter for area students and residents.
After the 2019 tornado that hit the Wheaton area, former Wheaton Superintendent Lance Massey said the district was lucky to not have been hit.
In the aftermath of the tornado, discussions began swelling regarding the FEMA shelter. In February, the Wheaton Board of Education discussed those FEMA dollars.
“At this time we only have a cost estimate provided by RE Smith, our Construction Manager at Risk Company,” Wilson said. “Official bids have not gone out yet. The entire project is estimated to be around 2.7 million dollars.”
Wilson said that the cost is on the high end of where the bids could come in officially.
“The building is being funded by Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds (ESSER III), the 2016 Bond Issue and some Fund 4 district funds,” she said. “The district has tried to secure FEMA funds since 2016 to help build a safe room to no avail. We have been passed over every time, so with the ESSER III funds available to the district, in combination with the bond issue, it is a perfect time to get a safe room for our district and community.”
This facility will also house a new kitchen and will serve as the district’s new cafeteria.
“The old cafeteria and kitchen will be converted into two new classrooms in the near future to help with space that is much needed in the elementary building,” Wilson said. “Since the beginning of our conversations, the scope of the project has changed, due to cost increase in construction.”
Wilson said while FEMA funds won’t be used, the facility will be FEMA rated.
“Square footage is approximately 5,768 and will meet International Code Council (ICC) 500 requirements and standards for Design and Construction of Storm Shelters, which will include missile impacts due to 250 mph winds,” she said. “[The shelter will have a capacity for] approximately 620 people.
“The district is still working on logistics on how this will all work for the community, but it will be a community safe room as well.”
It will be located between the elementary building and the high school building.
“This has been a long time coming for the Wheaton School District and the Wheaton Community,” Wilson said. “We are looking forward to getting all the plans and designs completed so that we can share these with the community, and excited to turn dirt and get started on the project.
“This building will give us peace of mind during the stormy weather season as well as give us an updated kitchen to better serve our students and staff.”
The tornado safe room will be completed by August 2023.
WHEATON SHELTER
Where: Wheaton School District
What: Tornado shelter, kitchen, cafeteria
More: Work to be completed by August 2023
