By Eric Althoff
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla.鈥擨nternational development and construction firm Skanska has completed two new schools in southwest Florida, the $47 million Collins PK-8 School 鈥渃onversion鈥� as well as a $12 million upgrade to Chamberlain High School鈥檚 athletic complex. Both schools are operated by Hillsborough County Public Schools.
The Collins project added a 70,000-square-foot classroom building as well as 30,000 square feet of additional educational space for six of the school鈥檚 seven buildings. Additional renovations include a new football field, group learning areas, an updated media center and various specialized classrooms. A performance space has also been added, as has a music and band room. Staff can also now enjoy updated offices.
Meanwhile, the athletic complex at Chamberlain High School includes a new gym, LED scoreboards and training room. The former locker rooms were converted into a state-of-the-art training room and the field house became modern locker rooms. Skanksa also updated the flooring, painting, window settings and HVAC systems. Outside, the redesign encompassed a rubberized track and new spectator bleachers for the athletic field. Outdoor signage was also installed.
鈥淲e鈥檝e cultivated a longstanding partnership with Hillsborough County Public Schools in creating transformative projects throughout the region,鈥� Daniel Abou-Jaoude, vice president and account manager at Skanska USA, said of the firm鈥檚 work with the district. 鈥淲e understand the importance of staying at the forefront of K-12 constructability to ensure we鈥檙e prioritizing usability and functionality to meet the evolving needs of educators and students.鈥�
Skanska鈥檚 U.S. headquarters are in New York, and the firm has 27 additional offices around the nation. Their 2023 U.S. construction portfolio entailed $7.1 billion in revenue.