EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Construction has officially begun on the renovation of Edward R. Martin Middle School in East Providence.

State, city and school district officials attended the groundbreaking event last week, including Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore, Mayor Bob DaSilva and Superintendent Sandra Forand.

This construction will give around 600 students in grades 6-8 and 240 pre-K students a new, innovative place to learn.

The 170,000-square-foot project will include a three-floor addition for the middle school and a two-floor addition to the pre-K education center, giving students the opportunity to have hands-on learning spaces.

The existing gymnasium and auditorium will be renovated as well.

This project will be a team effort to complete, with efforts coming from the East Providence School District, Peregrine Group, Shawmut Design and Construction and Ai3 Architects.

“Every student deserves to learn in a state-of-the-art environment, and this is what our students and staff will have when the construction is complete,” Forand said. “We are so very fortunate that the citizens of East Providence continue to support education.”

Classes will continue at the current Martin Middle School while construction ensues.

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