Construction crews reach 500,000 work hours on new Pender County school

HAMPSTEAD, NC (WWAY) — Construction crews working on the new J.H. Lea Elementary and Middle School in Hampstead have reached a major milestone, logging 500,000 work hours as the campus moves closer to its planned opening in August 2027.

Pender County Schools announced the milestone as construction team members gathered for a special lunch recognizing the hundreds of workers who have contributed to the project.

The new campus, one of the largest school construction projects in Pender County Schools history, is designed to serve approximately 2,300 students.

Construction continues across campus

According to the school district, crews are making progress on the elementary and middle school buildings, athletic facilities, common areas and other portions of the property.

The 500,000-hour milestone represents the combined work completed by construction crews since the project began.

“Reaching 500,000 hours gives you a real sense of just how much work has gone into this project,” said Pender County Schools Superintendent Dr. Brad Breedlove. “There are so many people behind the scenes and on this site every day helping turn this vision into a school that will serve Pender County students and families for generations.”

The campus will include dedicated spaces for elementary and middle school students, with construction continuing throughout the school year.

Recognizing the workers behind the project

The milestone celebration also recognized the construction workers who have helped bring the project from its planning stages to a developing campus.

“Half a million work hours is an incredible milestone,” said Ben Warren, vice president of Bordeaux Construction and project manager for the project. “It represents the effort of a tremendous number of men and women who have contributed to this project, and we appreciate the work they continue to put in every day.”

Pender County Schools says construction is continuing as the district prepares to welcome students to the new campus in August 2027.

Once completed, J.H. Lea Elementary and Middle School is expected to provide additional educational space for students in the growing Hampstead area.