Post by title1parent on May 12, 2009 5:12:52 GMT -5
www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=292861&src=76
Naperville N. renovation includes pool, stadium, lots
By Melissa Jenco | Daily Herald 5/12/2009
Improvements to Naperville North High School started with a splash Monday.
District officials and community members gathered to celebrate the beginning of $5.2 million in projects around the school that will affect the pool, stadium and parking lots.
"We have been given an extraordinary gift by our community to be able to make these facilities as world class as they need to be for the world class teachers and the world class students we have in this school district," Superintendent Alan Leis said.
Plans for the school include reconstructing the swimming pool, which isn't deep enough to host some competitions. The new pool will have eight competition lanes, three shallow instructional lanes, three one-meter diving boards and a handicapped-accessible pool lift. Pool locker rooms also will be renovated.
Kurt Johns, head boys swimming and water polo coach, said the upcoming improvements are a tribute to past and future teams.
"The time and effort these kids put in is truly amazing, and I'm really excited for what they have ... coming for them in the next year," Johns said. "Simple things most swim teams take for granted ... things that can make the difference between winning and losing a race or achieving the best time, can now be worked on in this facility."
As part of Monday's ceremony, administrators, city officials and students ditched the shovels for buckets they dipped into the pool to celebrate the occasion.
Other improvements on the horizon include reconfiguring the parking lots to improve safety and traffic flow. Synthetic turf also is being installed in the football stadium to maximize its use.
"It will give us a lot more opportunities to maybe practice in weather we usually wouldn't practice because of conditions and make games more clean and fun so we can have good competition, good games," varsity football player Dan Easley said.
Crews already have started work on the turf in hopes of having it finished by graduation on May 20. The rest of the work is scheduled for completion by the fall of 2010.
Architectural/engineering firm Wight and Co. and construction manager Lamp Construction are overseeing the project along with district staff.
North's renovations are part of $114.9 million in ongoing facilities projects around the district. Last year, voters approved a $43 million tax hike in order to help fund the projects that also include major renovations to Naperville Central High School, an addition and renovation of Mill Street Elementary School, and building an early childhood center.
Naperville N. renovation includes pool, stadium, lots
By Melissa Jenco | Daily Herald 5/12/2009
Improvements to Naperville North High School started with a splash Monday.
District officials and community members gathered to celebrate the beginning of $5.2 million in projects around the school that will affect the pool, stadium and parking lots.
"We have been given an extraordinary gift by our community to be able to make these facilities as world class as they need to be for the world class teachers and the world class students we have in this school district," Superintendent Alan Leis said.
Plans for the school include reconstructing the swimming pool, which isn't deep enough to host some competitions. The new pool will have eight competition lanes, three shallow instructional lanes, three one-meter diving boards and a handicapped-accessible pool lift. Pool locker rooms also will be renovated.
Kurt Johns, head boys swimming and water polo coach, said the upcoming improvements are a tribute to past and future teams.
"The time and effort these kids put in is truly amazing, and I'm really excited for what they have ... coming for them in the next year," Johns said. "Simple things most swim teams take for granted ... things that can make the difference between winning and losing a race or achieving the best time, can now be worked on in this facility."
As part of Monday's ceremony, administrators, city officials and students ditched the shovels for buckets they dipped into the pool to celebrate the occasion.
Other improvements on the horizon include reconfiguring the parking lots to improve safety and traffic flow. Synthetic turf also is being installed in the football stadium to maximize its use.
"It will give us a lot more opportunities to maybe practice in weather we usually wouldn't practice because of conditions and make games more clean and fun so we can have good competition, good games," varsity football player Dan Easley said.
Crews already have started work on the turf in hopes of having it finished by graduation on May 20. The rest of the work is scheduled for completion by the fall of 2010.
Architectural/engineering firm Wight and Co. and construction manager Lamp Construction are overseeing the project along with district staff.
North's renovations are part of $114.9 million in ongoing facilities projects around the district. Last year, voters approved a $43 million tax hike in order to help fund the projects that also include major renovations to Naperville Central High School, an addition and renovation of Mill Street Elementary School, and building an early childhood center.