Ohio Hi-Point Board of Education Hires Construction Manager for New Public Safety Building

Ohio Hi-Point Career Center is moving forward with construction of a new Public Safety Building on the OHP Campus in Bellefontaine. The OHP Board of Education approved Grand Lake Building Co. as the Construction Manager at Risk for the project during Wednesday evening’s regularly scheduled board meeting.

The new facility will house the district’s expanded Public Safety Academy, which includes career programs in Criminal Justice, Firefighting, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The academy accepts up to 50 students and offers a foundational public safety curriculum during a student’s junior year. During a student’s senior year, they will choose a focus area: Criminal Justice, Fire Level I, or EMT. The Fire Level I program is in partnership with Clark State and leads directly into their Fire Level II program.

“This new space will allow us to train students in these much-needed career fields,” said Assistant Superintendent Brad Richardson. “We’ve seen strong community support and a real need for local EMTs, firefighters, and law enforcement officers. We’re grateful to our partners for their continued support and look forward to having this new space.”

The building will include individual classroom spaces for each program, a designated fitness area, locker rooms, and bays for EMS and fire vehicles. There will also be enough space around the building where students will practice maneuverability skills and simulated training exercises. 

The district has partnered with WDC Group for the building’s architectural design. Construction is scheduled to begin in October, with the building expected to open in Fall 2026. The estimated cost of the building is approximately $400,000. 

For more information about Ohio Hi-Point or the Public Safety Academy, visit www.ohiohipoint.com.