New Gym to be Constructed at Northbrook's Meadowbrook School

Comprehensive Multi-Year Construction Timeline

The scope of the redevelopment is substantial, with a carefully planned timeline to minimize disruption while delivering modern facilities:

• August 2025 – Gymnasium construction begins at Meadowbrook School

• March 2026 – Gymnasium completed; construction of the new Meadowbrook School begins

• April–June 2026 – Construction starts at Northbrook Junior High (NBJH), Westmoor, and Greenbriar schools

• Feb.–April 2027 – Phase 1 at NBJH, Westmoor, and Greenbriar completed

• August 2027 – New Meadowbrook School opens

• February 2028 – Greenbriar Phase 2 completed

These projects were developed through the district’s Building Tomorrow Together community engagement program, reflecting needs identified in a comprehensive master facilities plan and backed by 63% of voters in the April 2024 referendum.

Why New Construction Over Renovation

Originally opened in 1955, Meadowbrook School faces aging infrastructure that would require extensive repairs. District studies determined that renovating the existing building would cost 64% of the price of building a new facility — without the long-term benefits. The new construction approach will result in a two-story school with minimal maintenance needs for decades, incorporating modern building systems, updated safety standards, and enhanced energy efficiency.

Design and Construction Details

Patch reports that the new Meadowbrook School will be built directly behind the existing structure, allowing classes to continue on site during the construction period. The old school will remain operational until the new building is ready, ensuring that students stay within their community.

The gymnasium — the first project to break ground — will be attached to the rear of the current school, providing an upgraded athletic space for students and community events.

Design features of the overall redevelopment include:

• A two-story academic building with modernized classrooms and collaborative learning spaces

• Attached gymnasium designed for both school and community use

• Upgraded mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems to meet current building codes and improve efficiency

• Enhanced accessibility features throughout the building to meet ADA standards

• Energy-efficient roofing, insulation, and window systems to reduce operating costs

• Improved site circulation for buses, drop-offs, and pedestrian safety

Landscaping and Community Considerations

Community input has influenced both the design and landscaping. One local resident raised concerns about the effectiveness of the planned six-foot screening trees along the Meadowbrook field line, noting that neighboring properties sit three to five feet higher. This could make the initial trees appear significantly shorter, reducing privacy in the early years. The board has acknowledged the need to address these concerns as part of the final landscaping plan.

The color palette for the school has been updated to a green and navy paneling scheme, blending the structure more naturally with surrounding homes and green space. Residents have also requested that the northern side of the project remain free from visible large structures to preserve neighborhood views.

Workforce and Trade Opportunities

The scale of the Meadowbrook redevelopment means a wide range of construction trades will be needed over the next several years:

• Site preparation and excavation crews for grading and foundation work

• Concrete forming and structural steel teams for the building frame and gym structure

• Masonry for exterior walls and façade work

• Roofing contractors for energy-efficient installation

• HVAC, plumbing, and electrical professionals for new building systems

• Glazing installers for high-performance windows and curtain walls

• Interior finishers for drywall, flooring, millwork, and painting

• Landscapers for tree planting, green space creation, and hardscaping

• Specialty contractors for gym flooring, bleacher installation, and accessibility features

This multi-phase effort will provide consistent work opportunities for local trades, with overlapping timelines across Meadowbrook and the other district schools.

A Long-Term Investment in Education and Infrastructure

Once completed, the Meadowbrook project will not only provide modernized educational facilities but also deliver lasting value to the Northbrook community. By replacing aging infrastructure with efficient, flexible, and community-oriented spaces, the district is building a foundation for decades of academic success and civic engagement.