Loading ...
Since 1958, T.R. Robinson High School has graced South Tampa. A distinguished past and a historic legacy left behind for current students of the school, but that wasn’t the only thing left behind. Until recently, a majority of Robinson had not undergone major updates, leaving students dealing with old buildings and faulty air conditioning.
In an attempt to solve the AC issue, school officials obtained consultation to install a new heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system. They then learned that the underlying problem was not the HVAC system, but the cracked and leaking windows, lack of insulation and a sinking building. Confronted with the information, the county approved a $57 million project from what was supposed to be a simple seven-million-dollar HVAC replacement.
The rebuilding of Robinson was not a typical construction project for the parties involved, in large part due to the obstacle which continuing to educate students in a construction zone posed.
“This project was different than other projects because it was a large redevelopment project,” said Lauren Campo, Engineer of Record for Campo Engineering. “We had to make sure the existing school could stay fully operational during construction.”
Almost all areas of the school have been outfitted with new HVAC systems, which will now be more effective due to the insulation and energy efficiency of the new buildings. Large black shades have also been attached to the outside of buildings to help cool the interior.
While cooling was a very general improvement, certain subjects received specific additions to their classrooms in order to improve their learning environment.
The art room, in addition to receiving new sinks, cabinets, a new kiln and lots of outdoor lighting, was also given an outdoor patio so that students can paint while having a grand view of the courtyard.
The journalism room has a large main area outfitted with a wall of windows and lined with new computers, couches and tables. The TV studio, located within the journalism room, will receive all new equipment for broadcast production as well.
What may be the largest upgrade, for any subject, is the new culinary-run restaurant. To replace their portable classroom and kitchen, culinary will have a full restaurant with a professional-grade kitchen as well as a front-of-the-house restaurant. The restaurant is available to all students and faculty and will be available for rent by the surrounding community for events.
This restaurant is seen by many culinary students, like Wilton Rollins (’24), as a natural progression from Knights Tavern, the mini-café run by Culinary.
“I’ve seen first-hand how the Knights Tavern has impacted the student body,” he said. “Even with the little store we had last year, people would come in and purchase snacks and drinks. The addition of new kitchen appliances will be used to create a wide variety of dishes that will certainly attract customers.”
While construction was mainly focused on the central area of the school and the main buildings, its impacts can be seen throughout the campus. Athletic programs will see many improvements in their facilities, the largest being to the football field and surrounding track.
“The new track and field have definitely been the number one feature of the new school that I’ve been looking forward to,” said Rollins, who is also a wide receiver for the football team.
The field, which was formerly grass, has been replaced with turf and now has a branded Knights logo in the center of the field and both end zones. The track, formerly concrete, has been replaced with rubber. Additionally, there is a new long jump and shot put area, as well as a new practice field where the portables were formerly located.
“Having a rubber track means no more shin splints caused from running on concrete,” said Tamala Jerson (’24), girls head captain and a sprinter for track & field. “It also means that we’ll get to host more meets this year which is exciting.”
Outside of the track and field, the locker rooms and weight room have been completely renovated. The training room will have both, tables, in case of injury during a game, and a hot tub for muscle recovery. Two tennis courts and outdoor basketball hoops are also being installed adjacent to the stadium.
Unfortunately, while most of the school will be complete by Aug. 10, the locker rooms, and sections of the auditorium, will not be finished until Aug. 30, and construction is set to continue throughout the first semester.
“Construction is probably going to continue through Thanksgiving, just like with any other type of building project, there’s going to be things that are going to need to be addressed as we go through the year,” said Principal David Brown in a voicemail sent out to parents on July 30. “But, all construction, starting on Aug. 10, will occur after school hours when students are not in the buildings.”
With a new school, one of the largest concerns is graffiti, which has been prevalent across Robinson, and is especially seen in bathrooms. While there are no new plans to curb this issue, other than students reporting the crime, in the absence of the portables, there is now less ground for the administration to patrol, making it easier to catch vandals. Additionally, with renovations made to the bathroom, the textured polymer from which the stalls are constructed makes them more difficult to vandalize.
“So, I do like this [the polymer],” Brown said. “It does hopefully help with graffiti, and it’s hard to write on.”
Even though the school has a more modern look, it still nods to its history.
“There’s a big ‘Robinson High School’ concrete sign that was left by the class of ’89, and they’re [the construction company] going to have a place for that inside the courtyard,” Brown said. “And then there’s the senior seal that used to be there. Same thing. They’re going to have a place. So it’s going to remain.”
While students are excited for the brand-new, state-of-the-art facilities which the school now provides, what is most exciting, to many, is the prospect of having a larger and more diverse student population.
“Regarding the new school, I’m excited to see the interior and obviously the new field. It’s also a great opportunity to increase our school numbers and become more diverse,” Rollins said.
As a new school year approaches, and for Robinson, a new school as well, Brown thanks students for their patience and hopes that Knights will have pride in their new home.
“Thank you for being patient, especially you juniors and seniors who have had a non normal experience because of all the construction.” Brown said. “Hopefully you’ll take great pride in this school because it is new, so you’ll take care of it like it’s your home. We want to keep it looking nice, we want to take care of it, we want to protect it.”
