By Eric Althoff
GOODYEAR, Ariz.鈥擜gua Fria High School District鈥檚 Millennium High School now hosts a state-of-the-art gym thanks to the combined efforts of general contractor McCarthy Building Companies and BWS Architects.
The $16.25-million edifice, known around campus as the 鈥淩ise and Roar Center,鈥� encompasses 45,000 square feet of multipurpose athletic space. The Rise and Roar Center entails three full athletic courts with fixed seating, with additional retractable seating that can be added if necessary. Total seating capacity for the courts is nearly 2,500. A tunnel leads from the locker rooms to the court, allowing for both dramatic entrances and quick retreat to the showers afterwards.
The new athletic complex was constructed atop what had been the freshman softball field, which was relocated to another place on Millennium鈥檚 campus. McCarthy and BWS also worked jointly to alter the school鈥檚 previous gymnasium into a building that now hosts classrooms, a dance studio, and band and choir rooms.
McCarthy completed the project work in 14 months. The general contractor鈥檚 partners and subcontractors on the job included Stone Cold Masonry, GrayWolf, K2 Electric, Pete King Construction, Mark鈥檚 Valley Grading, McCarthy Plumbing, Comfort Systems USA Southwest and LR Cowan Concrete.
In a recent statement about the project, Tyler Shupe, project director for McCarthy鈥檚 Education Services Group, said that the relationship with both the high school and the architects at BWS allowed for a smooth and on-time delivery of the Rise and Roar Center.
鈥淭he remodel demolition and insulation project scopes were self-performed by the McCarthy team due to the market鈥檚 current trade labor challenges,鈥� Shupe said, adding that this 鈥減rovided the project cost savings and shored up potential industry setbacks.鈥�
鈥淲e are excited to have a state-of-the-art facility that allows the entire school to gather all our students together for school functions and pep assemblies,鈥� added Millennium Principal Todd Stevens. 鈥淭his new space offers a central location to celebrate academic accomplishments, a beautiful venue to showcase our choir, band and artists, a facility where our athletes can practice, and a classroom for our physical education classes.鈥�
In a generous move, McCarthy鈥檚 Education Services team also upgraded the high school鈥檚 performing arts center at no additional cost to the district. The general contractor installed new sound controls and light fixtures, updated the stage floor itself, and crafted an entirely new control booth as well.
鈥淭he Center will be a point of pride and a special place for our students and the greater community,鈥� said Principal Stevens, adding that when not in use for student athletics, the Rise and Roar Center will be rentable to summer camp activities, art shows and various other functions. 鈥淭he options are endless,鈥� he said.
The Agua Fria High School District was established in 1955, and now encompasses six high schools in Avondale, Buckeye, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Waddell and parts of Glendale.