The Lexington Local School District began conversations about a new building for their district in 2018. Although the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to progressing further, the district eventually moved forward with new construction in early 2021. Shook Construction and TDA Architects were selected to manage and design the project, respectively. Farnham Equipment Company (FEC) received contract awards for multiple scopes of work, including bleacher seating, auditorium seating, casework and athletic equipment.
With a custom millwork desk installed by FEC in the receptionist’s office, Stevens Advantage educational casework is visible from the moment you step into this new facility. FEC furnished and installed Stevens’ casework throughout the building. The admin offices, mailrooms, classrooms, life skills, art rooms, science and labs all feature casework in a Landmark Wood laminate finish. The science rooms were provided with chemical-resistant black epoxy resin countertops. The labs also feature glass-sided viewing student workstation fume hoods.
In the new main and Junior high gymnasiums, FEC installed Maxam telescoping seating by Hussey Seating Company (HSC). The main gymnasium features five separate banks of seating providing in excess of 2,300 purple Courtside spectator seats. The seating banks in the balconies are designed as reverse fold to recover space for other activities behind the seating when the bank is not open. Options provided include a media platform, end closure safety curtains, auto folding aisle rails and Hussey’s flex row first-row design to provide code-required ADA seat spaces with companion seats.
FEC also provided and installed Performance Sports Systems (PSS) athletic equipment for the new gyms in this facility. All of the gyms contain ceiling-suspended folding basketball backstops and wall-mounted safety padding. The backstops are operated with PSS’s TSC-1500 Control System option.
Another highlight of this project is the auditorium space. FEC delivered and installed 750 Hussey Seating Quattro auditorium chairs for this new facility. The designer selected a Grey Lilac Shire fabric with graphite armrests. The chair backs feature Hussey’s horizontal pleat option. The first two rows of seats were mounted on removable skids to allow for extra space in front of the stage for an orchestra when required. The end result is a beautiful auditorium and a great performing arts space for Lexington Local Schools.
This project is a snapshot of FEC’s capabilities in the educational landscape. On many projects, FEC is tasked with providing several scopes of work with tight deadlines and various hurdles to overcome. Time after time since 1956, FEC has put its talents to the test and prevailed. The end result of this project was a great showcase of casework, bleachers, athletic equipment, and auditorium seating for Lexington Local Schools.
The full gallery of the new 7-12 building at Lexington Local is visible below.
