Kraus-Anderson completes new $99 million high school in Owatonna, Minn.
October 3, 2023
3-story school also features a new football stadium, athletic fields, tennis courts, gymnasium, and auditorium
Kraus-Anderson (KA) has completed construction on a new $99 million high school located at 1455 18th Street SE in Owatonna, Minn. The project is part of a $112 million district bond referendum, which voters passed in November 2019. Construction began in May of 2021.
Designed by Wold Architects and Engineers, the three-story, 317,000-square-foot high school, which will accommodate 1,600 students, includes new classrooms, state-of-the-art industrial arts labs, and tech shop spaces, as well as an 825-seat auditorium and large commons and cafeteria space in the center of the building.
Highlights include a main gymnasium and auxiliary gymnasium with walking track, a 3,451-seat football stadium, eight tennis courts, two grass multipurpose fields, two synthetic turf multipurpose fields (for soccer, lacrosse, football, baseball, softball, and physical education), two softball fields, two baseball fields and a full track at the stadium.
Located on 90 acres with parking lots for 890 vehicles, the full site development also includes four storage buildings for athletics.
“This state-of-the-art facility provides expanded opportunities for our students to explore career pathways and earn certifications, college credits, and career credentials during high school,” said Jeff Elstad superintendent of Owatonna Public Schools. “Our collaborations with local businesses and post-secondary institutions ensure students are being educated and trained to fill the jobs needed by employers in this area.”
Construction is a combination of structural steel and precast concrete with an exterior facade comprised of brick and metal panels along with a substantial amount of glazing to bring abundant natural light into the building. The main curtain wall at the entrance to the building is 66 feet wide by 31 feet tall. Interior finishes include terrazzo flooring throughout the commons and fitness areas, prefinished interior panels in the auditorium, and numerous locations of tile, hardwood panels and metal panels covering the walls, and column wraps.
KA continues to lead the field of regional education construction projects and is currently ranked 20th in the nation in the construction of K-12 facilities by Building Design and Construction magazine. Over the past five years, KA has completed over $1 billion in K-12 projects. KA’s comprehensive school construction services include facility analysis and budget approaches, leading to informed and successful referendum initiatives.
“Owatonna Public Schools has been a fantastic partner during the entire construction process where close communication and coordination was needed to meet all expectations,” said Michael Stenbeck, KA’s project manager. “It has been amazing to witness jaws drop as students and the community walk into the new facility. We are so proud to be a part of this project.”