Bellingham schools update: New building, inclusive playgrounds coming soon
With funding raised from voter-approved bonds and a capital maintenance levy, Bellingham Public Schools is making significant progress on construction and remodel projects across the district.
From progress on the new Community Transitions building and improvements to Squalicum High School, to plans for new playgrounds at two district elementary schools and design plans for the potential build of a new elementary school, district projects will be ongoing through the summer.
Community Transitions
Construction on Bellingham Public Schools’ new Community Transitions building is underway on the Whatcom Community College campus.
Community Transitions is a Special Education program at the district that serves students from age 18 to 22. The program is intended to provide students with individualized class schedules and resources such as job coaching, work-based learning opportunities and case management to help them transition to independent living, employment or further training.
The program is currently operating in a temporary location at 1600 Birchwood Ave. until the new building is complete.
The first-floor concrete slab was recently placed, and the cross-laminated timber structure has been installed. When it’s finished, the building will include many accessibility features to support students.
The project is funded by the 2022 bond and is expected to be complete by 2027.
Elementary school playgrounds, upgrades
New inclusive playgrounds are expected to be installed this summer at both Geneva Elementary School and Northern Heights Elementary School.
The project comes after work groups at both schools provided feedback and recommendations for what playground features could be most beneficial for students.
Work to install the playgrounds is expected to begin in June after school gets out. The playgrounds will be open to the public outside of school hours after they are complete.
Inclusive playgrounds have design features meant to accommodate recreation for children in different ways. The designs are based on the concept of universal design, which aims to create an environment that is usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.
Other elementary schools across the district already have inclusive playgrounds, including Silver Beach, Sunnyland, Parkview and Alderwood.
Northern Heights and Geneva, along with Wade King Elementary School, are also expected to have their gyms refloored. Northern Heights and Geneva will get new displays and sound systems. LED lights will be installed at Silver Beach Elementary School for energy and cost savings.
Squalicum High School renovations
Plans are in place for renovations this summer on multiple features of Squalicum High School, which will be 30 years old in 2028.
Crews are expected to install a new roof and improve the school’s gymnasium with a new sound system, scoreboard, resurfaced flooring and striping, and bleachers. A project to resurface the track is expected to take place from July through mid-August, making it unavailable for use during that time.
The upgrades are funded by the November 2025 facilities maintenance levy.
Roosevelt Elementary School redesign
Work to complete design work and submit permitting for a new build of Roosevelt Elementary School is ongoing, although the construction timeline is unclear, according to the district.
As permit costs are expected to increase and the district awaits recommendations from its facilities planning task force on whether to close certain elementary schools, no decision has yet been made to finalize a construction start date for the school.
The goal is to finalize design and obtain the necessary permits to be prepared in case the district decides to move forward with the new build.
