BILLERICA, MA — Thanks to the efforts of more than 130 students at Shawsheen Valley Technical High School, Wilmington High football games will have a new and comfortable look next season.
Shawsheen students, in a project coordinated by Gilbane Construction in Needham, built a concession stand adjacent to the football field that also includes men’s and ladies bathroom facilities.
The structure was built in conjunction with the new high school in Wilmington.
“We are very pleased with the work our students have performed at Wilmington High School,” said Superintendent/Director Charles Lyons. “As partners in education and training, Shawsheen students exhibited skilled craftsmanship and talent for our sister high school.”
“This was an ideal project for us,” said James Sullivan, head of construction at Shawsheen. “It utilized all five of our construction trades and it gives students an opportunity to further their skills in a real-world construction site.”
In all, Sullivan estimates that 132 Shawsheen students spread throughout carpentry, plumbing, electrical, masonry and HVAC worked on the concession stand at one time or another. The structure is a 1,300-square foot building, 32 feet by 42 feet.
“It was a win-win situation for the town of Wilmington and Shawsheen,” Sullivan said. “We were able to provide a service while still developing our skills. And the students were not only working within the confines of their programs, but they were working next to other tradesmen on a large construction site and dealing with environmental challenges.”
The Wilmington building is one of several exciting projects done this year by Shawsheen students, a list that includes a Habitat for Humanity house in Billerica.
“We’ve done some very challenging and exciting projects,” added Sullivan. “And the instructors do a quality job while instructing and managing their students. It’s exciting for the students.”
(NOTE: The above press release is from the Shawsheen Tech.)
Wilmington Apple 