ABC’s hit reality show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition recently completed a massive renovation of The Fishing School in Ward 7’s Deanwood neighborhood. In just eight days, a local home builder, with the support of dozens of skilled workers and hundreds of United Way volunteers, demolished the former facility and constructed a brand new state-of-the-art youth learning and community support center. The new building is approximately 6,700 square feet and includes three classrooms, a technology lab, a study hall outfitted with brand new computer work stations, a recreation room, two full kitchens, and office space for administrative and support staff.

The Fishing School before renovations.              Workers put the finishing touches on the new school.

The new community center is the largest building constructed in the show’s seven season run and is also one of the most energy efficient. In partnership with the Department of Energy, the home builders were able to construct a zero energy facility utilizing the latest “green” technologies, including an insulated concrete form foundation, triple-layer insulated windows, hybrid electric water heaters and geothermal heat pump, energy star compact fluorescent lighting, and other green building techniques. Solar panels will power the school’s electrical needs.

Several District agencies worked together to assist with completion of the project on an accelerated schedule. Coordinated by the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services and The Office of Motion Picture and Television Development, the project was made possible by the collaborative efforts of the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, District Department of Transportation, Department of Public Works, Fire and Emergency Medical Services, Metropolitan Police Department, Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, and the Offices of the City Administrator and the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development.

The construction project will be featured in a special two-hour episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition airing in November on ABC. For more information about the show, please visit ABC.com.