Everyone knows about the future construction plan for Edgewater High School and most of the students on campus have seen the current renovations being made, but how is the progress really going?

The construction started during the 2008-2009 school term and has caused quite a stir in not only the dirt but the heart of the school. Major construction on the main campus has not yet started but the necessary precautions are being taken, thus explaining the recent appearance of fences. The fences keep students, as well as staff, from entering hazardous areas of the construction sites but that’s not all they do. They have recently rerouted parking and even slowed kids down on their way to class and to their cars.

Matt Wilkenson, junior, said “The fences are inconvenient in walking to class. The construction is not important to me or teens in my grade because we won’t be here to enjoy it.”

Many Edgewater students believe the same thing, and that the construction has just been a burden on the school. Due to all the frenzy of activity, parking spots and walkways have suddenly “disappeared”. But luckily some gates will still be open. Gate 3 will lead into the senior parking lot and staff areas. Gate 6 will remain open until the fall and next school year gates 3 and 4 will be open to the public. Faculty parking on the west side of the quads will also be affected.

Another student, Sarah Chambers, freshman, said “…the construction is annoying. It’s very inconvenient, especially the fences by the bleachers. It’s hard to get to my car.”

But the recent construction of fences and even longer construction of the new school hasn’t been all bad. Two new locker rooms will be built and ready by the time the next school year starts this August. Work crews have already evacuated rooms 500, 501, and the stadium and concession stand. The football field will be elongated and moved over to accommodate the new school, and new running lanes will be added on to have a full eight lanes.
The Construction of this school will be an amazing step for eagles young and old. But the question keeps popping up, is it really worth it?

“Having a new school will be worth all the waiting. This school is in need of major repairs and should be completely knocked down. It is just too bad that I won’t be around to enjoy it when it is finally done,” said Junior, Andy Pierre-Charles.

The entire Edgewater High School campus has not had a major renovation since it opened in 1952. The last renovation that was completed was more than a decade ago when the Media Center, administration, and science halls were added.

The new Edgewater High School is slated to be opened for the 2011-12 school year.
To see what the new Edgewater High School will look like please visit the school website at www.ehs.ocps.net