If the school does not yet have an up to date Master Plan, the first task would be to find an architect experienced in this field to help you brain storm and create a preliminary program and consider possible locations for the facility.

Creative problem solving begins with a careful definition of the issues involved so the parties involved can contribute equally. Too much unguided time spent discussing such complicated issues by the school administration, trustees, teachers, parents, students, etc. could derail the process.

The preliminary consulting architect might or might not be the one selected in a subsequent more formal architect selection process which might involve offers from design-build firms or even be a competition although this project might not be large enough to justify that approach.

Renovator8,

It never ceases to amaze me, the valuable and varied information I can find at GW!

Thank you so much. Of course, you are right, it needs to be within the context of a Master Plan. But you have introduced a concept I hadn't thought of --- "preliminary consulting architect". That makes so much sense. And you are right, if all of the different constituencies start weighing in now, with no direction, choosing roof colors and layout and nonsense, we will waste time and create entrenched views at a point when we are all clueless.

For now we will stick to the economic and cultural aspects of the decision, and leave the physical plant aspects to a recommendation to bring in an arch. consultant.

Thanks, Renovator8