Oregon CUSD 220’s Design-Build Partnership

The Challenge

Complete diverse, major capital improvements within one summer and with minimal in-house resources

Project Overview

Oregon Community Unit School District (CUSD) 220 in northern Illinois serves several small communities. The district partnered with Opterra to address a backlog of maintenance and upgrade projects, focusing on health, safety, and technology improvements.

Key Benefits

Energy

• Geothermal heating and cooling system for elementary and high schools
• Improved climate control, enhancing student attentiveness and building maintenance

Savings

• Significant savings on energy bills

Community

• Expanded educational opportunities through shared resources between middle and high schools
• Health and safety upgrades for students, faculty, and staff

Energy Assessment and Strategy

The project began with an evaluation of the district’s facilities. Opterra recommended a design-build approach to streamline project management and ensure timely completion within budget.

Implementation and Funding

The district signed a performance-based agreement with Opterra for Phase I, covering over $7 million in work. The project included surveillance cameras, wireless infrastructure, security vestibules, and a geothermal heating and cooling system. Phase II included constructing a district office/IT center, remodeling the high school, and implementing safety enhancements. The project was completed on budget and on time, minimizing disruption to the district’s operations.