Central Middle School Topping Off Ceremony Marks Milestone for “Biggest Capital Project ever in the Town of Greenwich”

The cold temps during the new Central Middle School groundbreaking ceremony last December couldn’t have contrasted more with the sweltering heat on Thursday for the topping off ceremony, also described by experts as “topping out of the steel.”

The ceremony involved the hoisting of a steel beam into place that had been signed by building committee members, students and staff.

The event was a glimpse at the tremendous amount work that has been done to date, and a reminder perhaps of some of the hurdles in the past.

The project is anticipated to be completed on time in August 2026.

The CMS campus fortunately has enough room within its 21 acres to allow for the new building to be constructed adjacent to the original 1950s era building, in a two-phase project.

The new school is designed for 660 students in approximately 125,000 gross sq ft in a two-story structure, with the potential for flexibility to serve up to 720 students.

Central Middle School building committee chair Joe Rossetti described the ceremony as a major milestone.

“Our school’s foundation, which you can see here and structural frame will last for many generations to come,” he said.  “And around this structural frame, we will continue to construct the walls, roof and floors that comprise the educational and administrative spaces that will be brought to vibrant life with our students and staff in August 2026. We are on schedule to do that!”

Laura Kostin, the BOE representative to the building committee, noted her fellow members had “stayed the course, even when things were difficult and funding for the project was uncertain.”

That might have been a hint about contentious arguments over whether the new school was being “supersized,” and debates about enrollment projections, bathroom counts and spaces required by code in new buildings.

Nevertheless, the event was cheerful.

And hot.

“This occasion is proof of what is possible when a group of people raise their hands in a community’s time of need,” Ms Kostin said. “We all came together years ago barely knowing one another with a how-can-I-help attitude and a common goal: to build this for the kids. And today, with the school rising up where there was none, I am just in awe of what this amazing group of volunteers has been able to accomplish. It is the biggest capital project ever in the Town of Greenwich and I am proud to say, we are getting it done.”

CMS principal Tom Healy recalled said there first was talk about a new school 10 years earlier.

In February 2022, the building was declared “Dangerous and Unsafe for Human Occupancy, and students were dispersed long enough for the building to be shored up.

Mr. Healy noted countless people had been involved in the project, including building committee members, construction team, Board of Education members, BET, RTM, and State Representatives.

“I also have to say big thank you to the parents and PTA who have been pushing for this for a really long time,” he added, before playing the national anthem, a rendition from the CMS jazz ensemble.

Greenwich Schools superintendent Dr. Toni Jones noted that the amount of hours required to serve on a building committee were “unbelievable.”

She thanked the construction team, and added, “I think our parents, our school community all feel safe and ready to start school having kids just right over there in a few weeks – and that’s because of all the preparation you’ve done and the communication.”

Building committee chair Joe Rossetti also noted the countless hours volunteered over the past three years. He thanked the project design and construction team that included owners representatives JLL, SLAM architects, Turner Construction Co and their subcontractors.

He also thanked GPS superintendent Dr. Toni Jones and CMS principal Tom Healy for their support, as well the many town agencies including DPW, Building Dept, Health Dept, Planning & Zoning, and Fire Marshals.

“Last but not least, thank you dear middle school neighbors out there,” he added, gesturing to the distance. “For your support of the various construction activities over the past eight months and over the next year.”

“What’s so great about this – it’s not just the building that’s cool. It’s the success of a team here. It’s  people coming together to do something greater,” Rossetti said.

See also:

Students and Officials Celebrate Groundbreaking for New Central Middle School

Dec 20, 2024