Halfacre Construction Company, a Lakewood Ranch-based commercial construction company, recently broke ground on a building addition and renovation work for Carlos E. Haile Middle School. Located at 9501 State Road 64 E in Bradenton, the $36 million project includes a 10-classroom building addition and modernization of the entire campus, including the replacement of roof systems, mechanical systems, plumbing systems, building systems, kitchen reconfiguration and partial equipment replacement. Site improvements will also be made to include canopies, concrete walks and associated drainage deep energy retrofit. Halfacre Construction Company is working with Long & Associates Architects and Engineers on the project. The team celebrated the launch of the project on Friday, Sept. 8 with a groundbreaking ceremony. During the event, attendees heard from Irene Nikitopoulos, principal of Haile Middle School; Dr. Jason Wysong, superintendent for the School District of Manatee County; Chad Choate lll, board chair for the School Board of Manatee County; Jeff Medwetz, construction services project director for the School District of Manatee County; Travis Steed, architect for Long & Associates Architects/Engineers; and Dean Crowley, construction manager for Halfacre Construction Company. The campus will remain active while construction is going on. Portables were added to the back of the campus to accommodate the students during construction. The project has an estimated completion of summer 2024. The Bradenton-based middle school is home to more than 800 students and has a mission of inspiring its students with a passion for learning and empowering them to pursue their dreams confidently and creatively while contributing to the community, nation and world.