A grand opening event is scheduled to showcase the completion of a construction project at Braden River Middle School. Principal Kimberlain Zenon-Richardson is welcoming invited guests for a ribbon cutting at 2 p.m. on Thursday, February 2, 2023. The event will feature performances by talented student musicians, a ribbon cutting, and tours will be available for media. The school is located at 6215 River Club Boulevard in Manatee County. The project included a brand new building, which contains six new classrooms and adds 132 student stations. Three additional classroom buildings underwent interior renovations, as well as the gymnasium, front office building and media center. The project also included a cafeteria expansion, replacement of all HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems and additional security features. New roofs were installed on existing buildings, tennis courts were refurbished and a new traffic queueing lane was added. Work on the $20.2 million project began in February of 2021 and was completed in November of 2022. This project was made possible thanks to funds provided by the voter-approved half-cent sales tax referendum. The school opened in 1991 and has a current enrollment of 828 students. Architecture/Engineering is managed by Long & Associates and the construction manager is NDC Construction Company. In accordance with school district security protocol, all visitors who enter a school campus must provide photo identification. Please RSVP to Melissa Parker, parkerm@manateeschools.net, if you plan on covering this event.