Construction for a new industrial arts technology center at Blair High School is under way.
The new facility will allow BHS to add new programs through a partnership with Metropolitan Community College.
The project, which has a guaranteed maximum price of just over $2 million, will create a welding lab identical to Metro's lab at its South Omaha campus. Metro will provide instructors — at no cost to the district — allowing BHS to offer college/dual credit courses in welding, manufacturing and computer programming to sophomores, juniors and seniors for the 2021-22 school year.
Also included in the 14,000-square-feet renovation are a construction science lab, manufacturing lab, automotive lab, art room and computer science and robotics lab.
The industrial arts area was original to the building, which was completed in 1970, and was nearly untouched for 40 to 50 years.
Funds from the sale of the former West School building and from the special building fund will be used to pay for the renovations.
