The Ysleta Independent School District marked the official start of construction of the New Bel Air Middle School campus during a groundbreaking ceremony Friday morning. Bel Air middle and high school students, as well as Bel Air alumni, community members, and YISD administrators were on-hand for the ceremony.
“We are committed to the four pillars we established for this and all of our bond projects: on time, under budget, up the quality our students deserve, and, all things being equal, done by local contractors and architects,” said YISD Superintendent Dr. Xavier De La Torre. “I am proud to say that the new Bel Air Middle School project is meeting those pillars and we are excited to see the end result.”
ASA Architects designed the campus and Urban Associates will build the new school, both El Paso-owned companies. Construction is expected to be completed in time for the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year.
During the ceremony, Bel Air Middle School Principal Dana DeRouen thanked the YISD voters who approved the 2015 bond measure, as well as volunteers, students, parents, and community members who contributed to designing the new campus.
“I know everyone in the community is very excited as we begin to watch the Ysleta Independent School District literally lay the foundation for the success of our students,” he said.
Located at the site of the former Bel Air Junior High School, Bel Air Middle School is the first new campus construction project of the 2015 Bond program.
The $40 million campus will accommodate up to 1,200 students, and will feature state-of- the-art classrooms, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) laboratories, and new athletics and fine arts facilities.
