BRIDGEPORT — Construction of the grant-funded multipurpose facility to be dubbed “The Bridge” on the Bridgeport Exempted Village School District campus is reaching a major milestone, with the roof soon to be in place and work in the enclosed building to proceed through winter. The nearly 31,000-square-foot center for health care, education and training and community events is well on track for completion by August 2026.

Superintendent Brent Ripley and other district officials reviewed progress and toured the interior Dec. 3. They were impressed on seeing how far the $13.8 million Bridge has come. Construction has proceeded in the past months, with little disruption in the school routine thanks to extensive planning, coordination and opening up more than 38 new parking spots on campus to meet increasing enrollment.

Roof installation began around the Thanksgiving holiday.

Senior Project Manager Andy Lowther with Beaver Constructors said the early winter chill and snowfall have not halted this progress.

“We’re maintaining where we need to be. The education wing is enclosed,” he said. “We’re far enough along where we were able to temporarily enclose areas to keep them working when it’s too cold to be out in the elements, so we’ve been able to maintain progress that way.”

Now with a roof overhead, district officials observed the spaces that will soon house new classrooms, STEM labs and learning centers for students gaining early college experience through College Credit Plus.

Roofing is proceeding on the wing that will host the variety of other services The Bridge will have on offer, including veterinarians, daycare, medical and dental clinics.

“The next two weeks we’ll be getting the two-story area where the concrete’s poured for the second floor,” Lowther said. He added that half the wing or more should be roofed by Christmas.

“The goal is we’re going into the tail-end of the month with 50-70% enclosed.”

Beaver will then turn their attention to the health and fitness wing, with plans to complete roof work by the beginning of January.

“Then it really moves to inside finishes.”

Lowther added duct work in the educational wing is already well underway.

“Once we’re enclosed, you’re still roughing stuff in the walls and once it’s all roughed in we will start finishing.”

Excitement was palpable during the tour, with Ripley, Board of Education President Patrick McConnaughy, and administrative team members including Assistant Treasurer Dave Nelson, Curriculum Director Leslie Kosanovic and Technology Director Lisa Clark anticipating the opening day. When complete, the Bridge will be a convenient one-stop site for resources that stand to benefit thousands in the surrounding communities.

In addition, the varied community partnerships with service providers that will operate in the Bridge will also afford more opportunities for students to experience different types of training. Bridgeport Schools is committed to finding the individual students’ strengths and introducing them to fields that might fit their aptitudes and interests.