To overcome an outdated infrastructure, insufficient space for special education instruction, and overcrowding, the Town of Ashburnham decided to replace the 44-year-old, one-story John R. Briggs Elementary School with a new 85,000-square-foot building based on the expanded program needs of the school. STV served as the owner’s project manager for the new facility.

The $30 million two-story building is steel-framed, with brick veneer and metal panel cladding. Aluminum windows, storefront and skylights provide natural daylighting for all occupants. A unique wood pellet-fired heating system with a propane gas alternative fuel (backup) system was installed, making it the first school in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to have a pellet boiler. This state-of-the-art facility provides more space for art, music, physical education, health and foreign language instruction.