URBANA — In advance of celebrating its 90th anniversary, University Laboratory High School has taken preliminary steps for a fundraising campaign to update its facilities.

The institution recently issued a request for proposals from firms interested in providing a feasibility study to gauge the high school's fundraising capacity.

"It's not as though we're ready to break ground and Uni will be twice its size tomorrow," said director Jeff Walkington, the high school's director. "Any building project would be an ideal and very far in the future," he said.

Before launching a major fundraising campaign, the school needs to know if there are firms that could help the school "assess the giving capacity of our alumni and friends," Walkington said. "We're not looking to the university or the state for this money."

Uni is a public high school, but it does not receive money from property taxes, Walkington said. About 50 percent of its budget comes from general state aid based on per-pupil attendance, 25 percent comes from the University of Illinois and another 25 percent comes from parent and alumni contributions.

High school staff work in coordination with the University of Illinois Foundation on raising money for the institution.

About three years ago the school, which is overseen by the office of the University of Illinois provost, underwent a review to consider what Uni would need to have adequate facilities for its students and staff, Walkington said. The results of those surveys and conversations produced several different ideas on where to start with any possible remodeling of the building.

The study resulted in five capital project recommendations, each project ranging in cost from about $5 million to $14 million for a total of around $50 million. Those projects include adding a student commons area, additions to the library and auditorium, remodeled science laboratories, remodeled gym and other updates.

Built in 1919, the building at 1212 W. Springfield Ave., "is a beautiful old building, but it needs a lot to remain current for the comfort and learning opportunities for our students," Walkington said.

There has never been a capital campaign for the building, although over the years the provost's office has helped fund updates, he said.

"The building is very similar to what it was in 1919. The floor plan hasn't changed whole lot," he said. "It's a gorgeous building and we're lucky to have it."

But there is a need to address deferred maintenance, update technology areas and laboratories, add more meeting space, he said.

Some ideas have been sketched out, but drawings have not been finalized.

First the school must see if there is a company that the school can afford to work with on conducting a fundraising feasibility study to find out if the money is out there, he said.

About 310 students are currently enrolled at University Laboratory High School.