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Watergrass Elementary On Schedule

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By SUZANNE M. SCHMIDT

In The Loop

Published: January 31, 2009

WESLEY CHAPEL - Construction on a new $14.5 million elementary school in the Watergrass community of Wesley Chapel is on schedule, with a planned opening in time for the start of the 2009-10 academic year.

Work on the school, 32750 Overpass Road, began in June and is expected to be completed by May. The 88,000-square-foot facility sits on 22.4 acres within the residential community.

The school will help alleviate overcrowding at Wesley Chapel Elementary School, which serves more than 1,100 students, but has a capacity of 618. Once Watergrass opens, about half of Wesley Chapel's students will relocate.

Ray Gadd, assistant superintendent of support services for the school district, said the school's opening will help the county "make headway in leaps and bounds in the overcrowding issue."

The new school will share the same layout and "green" building features boasted by Veterans Elementary School, also in Wesley Chapel. The green features will include drought-resistant landscaping, dual-flush toilets and more.

"In the long run, it is supposed to save money on energy costs and it is a healthier environment for the kids and the employees," Gadd said. "We are applying for green certification status at Veterans, and we will at Watergrass once it is built."

Watergrass will open with an estimated 762 students. It is designed to have seven buildings with students grouped into pods. Each pod will have four classrooms built around a central courtyard featuring a butterfly garden.

In addition to classrooms, the school also will have a library, art and music rooms, administrative offices, a multipurpose cafeteria and recreation facilities.

Watergrass has been part of Pasco County School Board's five-year plan since 2005. When the Crown Community Developers started to build the Watergrass community in 2005, the board decided it would be a perfect location for a campus, Gadd said.

Craig Weber, general manager for Crown Community Development, said the community will eventually have almost 2,000 homes, but currently has less than 200 built and occupied.

"We are thrilled to have the elementary school there," Weber said. "It is a great asset and a nice addition to the community."

For information about the Watergrass community off Curley Road in Wesley Chapel, visit www.crown-watergrass .com or call Teri McGinnis at (813) 994-2277.

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