Byron Center Breaks Ground on New Nickels Intermediate School

School board members, administrators, students, and project partners of Byron Center Public Schools gathered Friday morning to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Nickels Intermediate Building, part of a $80.1 million bond program that was passed by voters in 2020. The new 5/6 building is scheduled for completion for the 2023/2024 school year.

Superintendent Dr. Kevin Macina was thankful for the support of the community and partnership with the Board of Education in making this bond campaign a success. This project allows for future growth and continues to enhance student learning for years to come.

The new Nickels Intermediate 5/6 building near West Middle School will be 125,000 sf and hold 850 students with room for future growth. The new building will have innovative classroom spaces, state-of-the-art science lab, and STEM classrooms, breakout spaces for individualized learning, full-size gym, choir, band, and art spaces. In addition to building a 21st-century learning space there would also be a focus on the safety and security of the students with secure vestibules, access control, and surveillance cameras.

Other Bond Projects Include:

• The current Nickels 5/6 building will be renovated to become a K-4 building.

• Renovations to Marshall Elementary, Brown Elementary, Countryside Elementary, and West Middle School.

• District-wide technology and security updates.

• Updates to systems and finishes at Van Singel Fine Arts Center.

• New buses that can accommodate 77-passengers.

The renovations to the current Nickels school will begin once the new building is finished and will be completed by summer 2024. The renovations to Marshall Elementary, Brown Elementary, Countryside Elementary, West Middle School, and Van Singel Fine Arts Center will be completed in the summer of 2022.