Colantonio staff joined over 400 students, faculty, residents, and government officials in the amphitheater courtyard of the new, $31.5 million Field Elementary School to celebrate its grand opening.
Owner and president Fran Colantonio is pleased with the results. "Our entire project team - Weston's Facilities Department, the Building and School Committees, Field School staff, Jonathan Levi Architects, Compass Project Management, and our subcontractors - was extremely collaborative. The success of this project is proof of what happens when you share a common goal and never lose sight of it," said Colanatonio.
The new school's two classroom wings and centralized music, arts and support spaces cluster around several courtyards that provide both light and ventilation and allow for open-air instruction. The energy-efficient design maximizes daylight benefits with repeating patterns of large windows, Brazilian hardwood cladding and bricks, which were installed by Colantonio's crew.
The firm also self-performed the extensive sitework that accommodates the one-story structure with a lower walkout level for the gymnasium and cafetorium. During the two-year construction process, Colantonio reconfigured parking lots and roadways that service the public community buildings that surround the project site to keep them accessible and safe. The firm's project team also conducted construction workshops for the students on site and in the classrooms.
The Field School chamber musicians entertained the audience, most of whom wore "Weston Field School Opening Day" T-shirts, as they were seated. Principal Matt Lucey, first to address the crowd, was greeted with deafening cheers and applause. Lucey, along with School Superintendent Cheryl Maloney and School Committee ViceChairman Ed Heller, praised the effectiveness of the project team. "We couldn't have asked for a better builder than Colantonio," he said. "They do amazing work, and they were there for us every step of the way."
Shown (from left) are: Edward Coburn, member, Weston Board of Selectmen; U.S. Representative Alice Peisch; Dr. Matthew Malone, Secretary of Education; Jack McCarthy, executive director of the MSBA; Jonathan Levi, principal of Jonathan Levi Architects; Dr. Cheryl Maloney, Weston Superintendent of Schools; Matt Lucy, principal of Field School; Fran Colantonio, owner and president of Colantonio Inc.; Jeff D'Amico, project manager at Compass Project Management; Rosemary Tomaso, member, Weston School Committee; and Dr. Ed Heller, vice chair of the Weston School Committee.