Explorations addition complete and in use

WINSTED — Members of the Explorations Charter School community are enjoying the benefits of new learning space, now that work on the school’s  4,800-square-foot addition is complete.

Staff members and students who attend the independent public high school at 71 Spencer St. moved into the new space last week, Explorations Charter School Principal Gail Srebnik told The Journal Tuesday.

Sbrebnik said work on the addition, which began last October, was completed late last month.

The project also included renovations to portions of the existing building.

“Over the last couple of weeks we have been slowly moving everyone in,� Srebnik said, adding that for the most part, the project was completed on budget and on schedule.

“They were here in all kinds of weather,� she said of the work crews.

Over the past several days, the teaching staff and administration have worked closely together to find the best way to utilize the new classrooms.

“We’re trying to find out what spaces work best for each teacher,� Srebnik said.

The project’s construction is being funded through a $940,000 state facilities grant and is headed by the Harwinton-based contractor PAC Group LLC.

The secondary school — which serves a total of 85 students in grades 10 to 12 — moved to Spencer Street from its former Main Street home in 2005.

The charter school first opened its doors to students 13 years ago.

Although Explorations did renovate the original Spencer Street building before relocating there, new programming within the school’s curriculum prompted the expansion.

Srebnik said the construction crew still has some work to do on the outside of the addition, with most of that relating to landscaping.

“But they can’t do that until the weather warms up,� she said.

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