City Releases Construction Update on Huntington Middle School and Recreation Center
2026 Completion in sight for new facilities in Southeast Community Resource Area
The City of Newport News recently updated the community about the ongoing construction of the new Huntington Middle School and Huntington Recreation Center, part of the larger Southeast Community Resource Area (SECRA) initiative. Located on a 17.1-acre site in the Southeast Community, the joint project between the City and Newport News Public Schools is advancing toward completion with key milestones already met.
According to the City, the SECRA initiative reflects the City of Newport News’ commitment to holistic community development—educating the mind, body, and spirit—while honoring the legacy of Huntington institutions. When complete, the integrated campus is expected to enhance educational outcomes, increase public access to recreation, and serve as a central gathering place for Southeast Community residents.
In a recent video update titled “Behind The Build – SECRA Huntington Middle School & Recreation Center,” Construction Manager Rob Papis highlighted the scale and significance of the effort, describing it as one of the most exciting community projects the City has undertaken in years.
Project Description and Goals
The SECRA project aims to create a central community hub that supports education, recreation, and neighborhood engagement. It integrates multiple city resources—including the Pearl Bailey Library, Doris Miller Community Center, and Newport News Public Schools—into a single, unified campus.
Huntington Middle School will occupy the southern end of the site. The 123,000-square-foot facility is designed to serve 600 students in grades 6–8 and will include classrooms, a library, a band room, a dance studio, a kitchen classroom, a gymnasium, maker spaces, and collaborative learning areas. The school continues the legacy of Huntington High School and the original Huntington Middle School and is scheduled to open for the 2026–2027 academic year.
Huntington Recreation Center will be located on the northern end of the site. The 97,000-square-foot facility includes a 17,000-square-foot renovation of the original Huntington Center and an 80,000-square-foot addition. Features include an indoor pool, a youth center, basketball courts, tennis and pickleball courts, a splash pad, an amphitheater, a gymnasium, meeting rooms, and the new Pearl Bailey Library.
A walking path will connect the school and the recreation center, surrounding a shared multi-purpose field and track.
Construction Progress and Timeline
Huntington Middle School
Construction at the school site is organized into four zones (A–D), with each progressing at different stages. The overall project reached 25% completion as of mid-July. Final completion is expected June 2026.:
Zone A: Polished concrete floors are complete.
Zone B: Structural steel installation began in mid-July. First-floor concrete work is finished.
Zone C: Structural steel, joist, and decking are complete; concrete slab work is finished. Work has begun on mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems.Zone D: Structural framework for the cafeteria and kitchen is 75% complete and expected to finish by the end of July. Main mechanical and electrical room slabs have been placed.
Field House: Structural slabs are complete.
Utilities: Street closures along 35th Street have enabled stormwater system installation.
Huntington Recreation Center
Construction activities for the Recreation Center began in January 2024 and have reached 53% completion. Current work includes foundation and steel erection, pool construction, and CMU wall and door frame installation. Final Completion is expected in October 2026.
Project costs
Both projects are being managed under a Design-Bid-Build delivery method. MEB General Contractors, Inc. was selected as the lead construction firm following a competitive sealed bid process initiated by the City of Newport News.
The City of Newport News has committed significant funding to the construction and development of the new Huntington Middle School and Huntington Recreation Center as part of the Southeast Community Resource Area (SECRA) project. The contracts for the middle school total more than $71 million, including construction, design, escrow, and inspection services. The recreation center contracts total approximately $61.3 million, covering construction, design, inspection, asbestos abatement, and associated escrow accounts. The tables below summarize the contract amounts and involved contractors for each facility:
Huntington Middle School Contracts
MEB General Contractors, Inc. - Construction - $64,314,317.01
MEB General Contractors, Inc. - Escrow Account - $3,215,715.85
Quinn Evans Architects, Inc. - Design Services - $3,991,530.50
McDonough Bolyard Peck, Inc. - Inspections - $12,144.00
Huntington Middle School Contracts
MEB General Contractors, Inc. - Construction - $54,078,063.21
MEB General Contractors, Inc. - Escrow Account - $2,703,903.16
Quinn Evans Architects, Inc. - Design Services - $4,262,108.50
Waco Inc. - Asbestos Abatement - $219,495.00
McDonough Bolyard Peck, Inc. - Engineering - $12, 144.00
Bid Process and Contractor Selection
The City issued an Invitation for Bids (IFB) on March 1, 2024, for both the school and recreation center. The bidding process closed on April 12, 2024. MEB General Contractors was selected based on qualifications, price, and experience with similar projects, including other school and recreational developments across the region. The project is being designed to meet LEED for Schools v4.0 Certified standards, in line with the City’s environmental and quality goals.
A Newport News Daily contributor produced this report using AI tools and these primary sources:
Behind The Build- SECRA Huntington Middle School & Recreation Center
Project Status - City of Newport News
MEB - Newport News SECRA Huntington Middle School & Recreation Center
Huntington Middle School: The Next Chapter
MEB Awarded New Huntington Middle School and Recreation Center Project
SECRA- Recreation Center
SECRA - Huntington Middle School - Huntington Center - Invitation for Bids