What's Happening in Lowell, MA…

The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) has granted Lowell a waiver so that it can build a gymnasium in its new high school that is larger than is usually allowed by the authority’s rules, according to an article in the Lowell Sun.

The MSBA suggested making the space smaller, or alternatively, splitting it in two to meet the guidelines. Finally, the agency agreed with the city’s argument that the new high school is so large, it needs a bigger gym than the old rules allow.

Kevin Murphy, the city manager, said the news of the waiver was “great” for the project, adding that the rules obviously were not designed to meet the needs of a school that will have 3,500 students. The current regulations allow a maximum of 18,000 square feet for a gymnasium, but the field house currently spans 28,000 square feet.

The architect on the project, Perkins Eastman, proposed constructing a gym comprising 18,000 square feet, separated from a 9,000 square-foot space by a retractable wall. The smaller space would be used for Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) activities as well as adoptive physical education. The MSBA initially opposed the idea of the two spaces, but after further consideration, approved the plan.

Issues like this are important to many people, so officials might consider working with a flyer printing company on a mailer for residents, explaining the project status.