White Bear Lake Area Schools in Minnesota has completed a three-phase renovation that transformed the former Sunrise Park Middle School into a multi-use district and community center.

The renovated facility consolidates several district and community programs that had been housed in separate locations. The building now includes the district office, early childhood programming, the Transition Education Center, a senior center, and a gymnastics facility.

Wold Architects & Engineers designed the adaptive reuse project, which is intended to improve access to school and community services for residents of multiple ages.

The project is part of White Bear Lake Area Schools’ long-range Building Our Future facilities plan. The plan was developed through community engagement and supported by a 2019 bond referendum.

For the district, the project turns a former middle school into a centralized facility serving students, families, staff, young adults, and older residents.

Why this matters

This project shows how districts can use adaptive reuse to extend the value of existing school facilities while responding to changing educational and community needs. Instead of abandoning or underusing a former middle school, White Bear Lake Area Schools repurposed the building to support early learning, transition services, administration, recreation, and senior programming in one location.