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By Laura Jean Whitcomb
For many, Vermont’s premiere four-season destination
resort community at Stratton Mountain is all about
skiing. For a number of talented and enthusiastic
adolescents, the Mountain provides a backdrop for
the technical challenges associated with world-class
ski terrain, and for college preparatory studies.
While a part of their ski classroom experience
involves the expert slopes of Stratton Mountain, and
their individual passion may be to compete in the
national and international sports arena, many of
these student-athletes value the rich academic
experience and scholastic fulfillment of study
through the Stratton Mountain School (SMS). Here,
they complement the physical rigors and intense
regimen associated with championship skiing with an
education to rival most top prep schools.
Challenging each student to create success in all
areas of their lives, the School’s teachers and
coaches work to foster an environment that
encourages individual success…in both academics and
sports. This has been a part of the School’s mission
for over three decades. And toward this end, the
Stratton Mountain School community is expanding both
its residential and training facilities. Recently,
the School entered into the second phase of its
master plan, bringing additional faculty and student
housing to the campus, and adding approximately
16,000 square feet to the Peter Burtcher Fieldhouse.
Trumbull-Nelson Construction Company is serving as
Construction Manager for both Projects.
“Bob Allen proved to be an invaluable
troubleshooter, and superior coordinator of
construction site activities.”
Over the past year, Trumbull-Nelson has worked
closely with the SMS Headmaster, Christopher Kaltsas
and other School officials on two projects that will
enhance existing facilities located within the
state-of-the-art campus. The recently completed
Faculty Residence and Dormitory Project, designed by
J. Graham Goldsmith Architects P.C., of Burlington,
Vermont, is an architecturally pleasing
accompaniment to existing facilities. The Project
has created 6 new housing units for faculty, and
dormitory space for ten additional students.
And on the southwestern edge of the campus, work
crews are putting the finishing touch on the
Fieldhouse addition. Upon completion, the building
will include a training and weight room, stretching
and storage areas, locker, and laundry and tech
room. The buildings second floor includes the
gymnasium, gymnastics equipment area, and room for a
future climbing wall. The addition offers
approximately 3 times the currently available
fieldhouse space, and brings the School’s gymnasium
facility “online” in a readily available campus
setting (the current gymnasium is located about 1
mile away from campus).
Christopher Kaltsas is no stranger to the challenges
associated with school building construction.
Ongoing funding challenges and strict budget
requirements are Project givens. He knows that
effective management and field coordination is
paramount to success. He gives much credit to
Trumbull-Nelson Project Manager, Michael Rosa, and
Field Superintendent, Bob Allen. “The Company
‘delivered’ on the Stratton Mountain School
Projects…across the board,” remarked Kaltsas. “Bob
Allen proved to be an invaluable troubleshooter, and
superior coordinator of construction site
activities. His very clever thinking about all
aspects of the building project brought added value
to the process.”
Just as SMS students are reaching new levels by
maximizing their potential through integrated
academic and athletic programs, the School’s
building program is helping it to reach a new level
of maturity. And just as the campus masterplan helps
to direct and shape the built environment, the Phase
II and future construction is helping build a solid
foundation to meet the needs of the next generation
of exceptional student athletes.
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