Ceremonial spades are turned as school officials, students look toward a new ‘200.’
It wasn’t due to poor planning that there weren’t enough plaques or shovels to go around. It was due to an abundance of contributors to a project that after years of planning, finally broke ground – at least ceremonially – Thursday at Bainbridge High School.
“Obviously, this could not have happened without the community’s support,” said Superintendent Ken Crawford, to about 50 spectators assembled near the soon-to-be-demolished 200 Building.
Crawford, School Board President Bruce Weiland and Principal Brent Peterson went on to thank a long list of contributors, from former school board members to Leo Finnegan Construction, which soon will bring to life the plans so long in the crafting.
Those plans include a new, two-story 70,000-square-foot building to house the school’s library, commons, administration and classroom space. Other changes include improved access and circulation through the school.
Demolition of the old building could begin as early as Monday morning, and will take up to a month. The construction crew finished removing hazardous materials at the site yesterday.
Officials say students and staff will be safe during the demolition, though the noise and dust – which will periodically be tempered with water – could be somewhat distracting.
The first upturning of dust came on Thursday, surrounded by sunny skies and the warm sentiments of onlookers at the groundbreaking ceremony.
Crawford presented the dedication plaque from the old building to the Bainbridge Island Historical Society before reading a resolution that will ensure the inclusion of several key names – among them Weiland and current board member Cheryl Dale, neither of whom will be on the board when the building is dedicated in fall of 2008 – on the new plaque.
Several students also were on hand to commemorate the event, including Associated Student Body Treasurer Andrew Powers.
“The students make up the school’s soul,” he said. “But the campus helps them realize their full potential.”
Thursday marked the second groundbreaking for ASB Vice President Luke Jensen. As a fourth grader, he participated in the groundbreaking ceremony at Sakai Intermediate School, also built by Leo Finnegan Construction.
“I want to thank not just the people who voted to fund this, but also the students and staff who helped make the transition” of vacating the old building, Jensen said. “It’s a monumental task to make a move like that in the middle of the year, but everyone adapted to the changes and is doing fine. Thank you for making that environment possible.”
Then Powers, Jensen and others got to digging, following a countdown of “one, two, shovel” by Weiland, who also thanked voters for their support.
“This tired old structure will be down to bricks in a matter of a few weeks,” he said. “In its place will be the new heart of the campus and the community. That’s one of the things we love about this community – we put our kids at the center of everything.”
