Gantz RecSchool
Location
Columbus, Ohio
Owner
City of Grove City
Services
General Contracting, Concrete and Wall Systems
Type
New Build
Square Footage
3,400 sq ft
Miles-McClellan Builds a New Facility from the Ground Up for Grove City Parks and Recreation’s Future Learners
Comprehensive Features Include:
- Wood frame structure
- Full build of classrooms
- Full build of office space
- Full build of restrooms
- Utilities mapping across property
- Back deck construction
The Plan
In 2022, an unexpected bat infestation caused extensive damage to the beloved big red barn at 2259 Home Rd in Grove City at Gantz Park, forcing the Grove City RecSchool program to leave its cherished home. The damage, affecting the wood, drywall, ceiling tiles, ductwork and concrete walls, left the barn unsalvageable and unsafe for the 78 eager students to continue their school program. The challenge was clear: to build a fresh, welcoming space where the spirit of learning and community could thrive without missing a beat.
After the city decided to demolish the barn and move the Reschool program to the Kingston Center in 2022, the next step was to find a partner to build a new preschool facility from the ground up to quickly get the kids back in their own space. With the RecSchool curriculum deeply rooted in nature-based learning, the structure needed to be creative, flexible and adaptive, allowing students to engage hands-on with their environment while fostering curiosity, critical thinking and holistic development.
The preschool was set to be built at the site of the barn, complete with three classrooms, two for educational purposes and one to be used as a multi-purpose space for play, training or community events. The planned space was set to accommodate an additional 30 students, and would also include a deck off the back of the building to overlook the park and Marsh Run stream.
The competitive bidding process for the anticipated structure began in spring of 2024, in which Miles-McClellan was selected as the preferred partner to carry out the build as the lead general contractor.
As general contractor of the facility, our team set out to work quickly and thoroughly. Our team approached the project with a commitment to craftsmanship, efficiency and precision. Balancing speed with meticulous attention to detail, we ensured every aspect of the construction met the highest safety and durability standards. Throughout the build, we maintained transparent, proactive communication with all stakeholders, keeping the project on schedule and surpassing expectations at every stage.
With the goal of reigniting nature-based learning in a fresh, adaptable space, Miles-McClellan proudly completed the Gantz Preschool renovation in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the RecSchool program. This newest chapter of the Reschool will have a lasting impact in the community, continuing to nurture the curiosity and education of Grove City’s three- to five-year-olds, welcoming new students as early as the 2025–2026 school year.
The Process
One of the key challenges in tackling this work was navigating the narrow margin for risk mitigation and community disruption. With limited flexibility to adjust timelines or reroute the park’s activities, every decision carried significant weight. The project operated under tight deadlines and within high-traffic areas that saw a constant flow of visitors, which heightened the complexity of even routine tasks.
We had to carefully balance the need for progress with the responsibility to minimize impacts on the surrounding community — whether it was ensuring continuous access for parkgoers, maintaining safety around sensitive zones or avoiding disruptions to nearby neighborhoods and daily operations. The combination of compressed timelines, constrained physical space, and the need to maintain a welcoming environment required meticulous planning, precise coordination, clear communication with stakeholders and real-time problem-solving to address emerging concerns without compromising the integrity or momentum of the project.
Key Challenges:
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