By Nishka Avunoori, Webmaster
The high school expansion and renovation project is nearing full completion as students reenter the building for the new school year.
The COVID-19 pandemic, wildfires and hurricanes delayed original deadlines, but the new wing opened this fall for use. The exact completion date is unknown as minor indoor and outdoor components need to be finished, the project will be fully finished by the summer of 2022. According to assistant principal and construction overseer Dr. Patrick Boyle, the building was revamped to meet the future needs of students and make it more accessible.
“(This project) allowed us to really rethink how the building flowed and how the students can really use the building more efficiently for their classes and also for the movement in the classrooms,” Boyle said.
There are various aspects of the building that require additional work. For example, the facade of the building is supposed to have a grayish metallic finish, but due to measurement errors, the exterior has remained incomplete for the past two months. Boyle emphasizes the importance of the color of the exterior since it sets the new wing apart from the old.
“It’s going to have an industrial-type look to it because it’s the industrial part of the building. It’s really the fabrication that happens there like wood, metal, robotics, art, fashion and all that stuff,” Boyle said. “So we wanted something that would say, this is a different room, from the outside and inside.”
Other external parts of the renovation yet to be completed include the new north parking lot, designated for faculty use only. Likewise, parking spaces are being cleared in the main parking lot to accommodate increasing student enrollment and staff. It was completed on Sept. 29, but lacks final touches such as trees and shrubs that will be added in the upcoming weeks. Finally, a new drainage system was put in place near the track to help with runoff water; however, weather-related complications delayed full implementation.
“During that time, we had the storms of the century by the end of August and September, so the mud just flooded out. Once we get the sod and grass onto the area, we believe that’s going to stop. It’s just going to take some time for that to happen,” Boyle said.
Inside the building, select elements are still being tidied up. Light fixtures in the new wing were lowered slightly to accommodate the American Disabilities Act, and tiling and railings will be added to the atrium soon. Notably, the highly-anticipated 10 foot tall soundproofing trees – with felt leaves matching the school’s colors – will also be added shortly. However, some aspects will take significantly longer to finish. For example, sound absorption panels for the walls are scheduled to arrive in February due to pandemic-related supply chain issues. Similarly, multi-colored paddings for the atrium steps – delayed by measurement errors – are expected to arrive in December.
“The (atrium) steps will become a more comfortable space than sitting on the hard terrazzo right now and the kids can collaborate there,” Boyle said.
Another upcoming feature in the upper atrium is a coffee stand run by life skills students as part of their curriculum, with the goal of strengthening customer service and communication skills. While progress on the stand and other aspects will continue to proceed through the summer of 2022, Boyle stresses that construction is scheduled after school so as not to interfere with daily instruction.
“When it comes to the students in classrooms, they (construction workers) are not allowed to be anywhere near a classroom until the students leave for the day. We are not going to interrupt instruction because they’re trying to complete the job,” Boyle said. “Instruction is primary; construction is secondary.”
