ST. LOUIS, MO— Ball Chatham Community Unit School District 5 has selected S. M. Wilson & Co. as General Contractor for a $4.5 million comprehensive upgrade Project at Ball Elementary School to enhance energy efficiency and indoor comfort for students and staff. The project team is in the pre-construction phase of the project. The construction work will be completed during the Summer Break in time for the
2026-2027 school year.
The scope of work centers on converting the existing Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) system to a state-of-the-art geothermal system, reflecting the District’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure and long-term operational savings. The architect is Graham & Hyde Architects, Inc. of Springfield, Illinois.
In addition to the HVAC system conversion, the project includes the complete replacement of ceilings throughout the school to not only accommodate the new mechanical systems but also refresh the interior environment. The electrical infrastructure is also being significantly upgraded to ensure reliable and efficient operation of the new systems.
S. M. Wilson has worked in partnership with 46 school districts in Missouri and Illinois, including Alton Community Unit School District No. 11, Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7, Granite City Community Unit School District 9 and Rochester Community Unit School District 3A, among others.
ABOUT BALL-CHATHAM CUSD #5
Ball-Chatham CUSD #5 is a suburban district south of Springfield, IL located in the Village of Chatham. The district provides services to over 4600 students in grades PK-12 across six sites that span 100 square miles. The district employs over 600 staff members, making it one of the largest employers in Sangamon County.
ABOUT S. M. WILSON & CO.
S. M. Wilson is a full-service construction management, design/build, and general contracting firm with offices in St. Louis, MO, and Edwardsville, IL. Founded in 1921, S. M. Wilson is a team of dedicated professionals committed to exceeding client expectations. As a 100% employee-owned company, we take pride in our people-first approach and our position as one of the leading construction management firms in the Midwest. For more information, visit www.smwilson.com.