The Botetourt School Board got a look last week at the preliminary layout for the new Colonial Elementary School that’s going to be built in Blue Ridge.

Representatives from Spectrum Design went over what is the proposed layout during a scheduled work session last Thursday morning in Fincastle. The concept is based on two existing elementary schools the company designed. The concept plans show a school layout that has core services with administration, a media center, a gymnasium, a “cafitorium,” restrooms and storage laying between two classroom wings.

One wing is designed to house pre-kindergarten through second grade and the other for third-fifth grades. Both wings also have special education classrooms, workrooms for teachers, art and/or a music room and restrooms. The pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classrooms also have small restrooms. Granville Grant with Spectrum Design told the School Board the plans show space for 600 students, but the company will ask for bids for a school to house 600 students, one that will house up to 540 students and one for up to 480 students. He told the School Board the core areas will be designed for 600 students, and should the county opt for one of the alternatives, in the future it will be easy to add classrooms to allow for a growing student population.

The base bid will be designed for 480 students. Colonial now has 390 students, Grant said. The 27 acres on Murray Drive off Laymantown Road is being prepared for the grading work that will be required to build the school. Crews were finishing demolishing the buildings on the property last week.