McCarthy Building Companies recently completed a remodel of the Dysart High School Auto Shop building for the Dysart Unified School District. The facility provides classroom and shop space for more than 125 Career and Technical Education (CTE) students in the Automotive Technology program. The school hosted a re-opening ceremony to celebrate the facelift earlier this month.
Photo (left to right): Tab Barth, Sr. Project Manager, McCarthy Building Companies; Dr. Jon Croteau, Assist Superintendent, DUSD; Dr. Jim Dean, Assist Superintendent, DUSD; Jim Grieshaber, CTE Director, DUSD; Dr. Quinn Kellis, Superintendent, DUSD; Traci Sawyer-Sinkbeil, DUSD School Board Member; Anita Norton, El Mirage Councilmember; Ken Hicks, Assistant Superintendent, DUSD; Stephen Welthsch, Assist Superintendent, West-MEC; Jo Grant, DUSD School Board Member and Dr. Steve Poling, Assistant Superintendent, DUSD.
The Dysart Auto Shop building was first built in 1970, and while equipment in the shop has been updated over the years, the infrastructure needed improvements in order to ensure students are prepared to enter the workforce. The building was expanded by 1,200 square feet with added storage space. A new simulation lab and entrance were added along with bathrooms, a new eye- and hand-washing station, and classroom updates to include windows into the shop area. New systems such as evaporative coolers, a heat pump, exhaust fans, fire alarm and IT were installed. Additionally, the building received new roofing, insulation, wiring, interior and exterior paint, doors, hardware and garage door openers and the concrete floors were ground and polished.
“This facility is a valuable, hands-on learning lab for students in the community,” said Jim Grieshaber, Career and Technical Education Director. “This newly remodeled building will provide critical industry training that will prepare students to be valuable assets in the automotive technology industry.”
The complete project cost $893,173, and was funded through a West-MEC grant as well as district CTE funds. McCarthy managed the construction project and One! Architecture designed the remodel/expansion.
“Being part of this team, collaborating with the District, West-MEC, One! Architecture, consultants and our trade partners to deliver this important and valuable project to serve the students of DUSD in a new way has been incredibly rewarding,” said Jared Storms, project director at McCarthy. “I know I speak for everyone at McCarthy and each person who was fortunate to be part of making this project a reality. Thank you and congratulations!”