HL Watkins Middle SchoolPalm Beach Gardens, FL |
The H. L. Watkins Middle School was designed to replace, in part, the 1959
middle school of the same name. Additions subsequent to the 1959 construction
include a media center built in 1991. Site improvements include a redesigned
site drainage system and play fields. The play fields were developed as part
of an inter-local agreement with the City of Palm Beach Gardens for the design,
construction and maintenance of the fields. Access to the site was improved
by an extended parent drop-off area, re-configured bus loop and relocated staff
parking areas.
The new construction associated with this project involved the creation of a consolidated two-story, 60,000 sf classroom building, a prototype re-use of the Independence Middle School classroom building and approximately 18,500 sf of additions to existing buildings. This was done to improve the security of the campus and the supervisory effectiveness of the staff. In addition, the creation of a main classroom building allowed for a vastly improved energy management system. The existing gymnasium was fully remodeled.