Published: March 25, 2008 03:30 pm            

New PHS on schedule, under budget

PLAINFIELD — The new high school here is coming along on time and under budget, Superintendent Jerry Holifield said.

Construction on the $103 million project began in April 2005, and is now at the final stages of completion. Although those who enter are still required to wear hard hats, it appears most of what needs done is dusting and mopping, along with installing some final cabinets and glass for display cases.

Some of the interior’s most unique features include an orchestra pit in the auditorium, which can be raised and lowered to allow music below theater productions; seven serving lines in the cafeteria, as well as a separate “seniors-only” dining area; and the “ellipse” common area in the center of the building, featuring the school crest and seven values surrounding it on the floor.

Other highlights include state-of-the-art athletic facilities, such as a fieldhouse with basketball and volleyball courts and an indoor track, a gymnasium, wrestling room, weight room, cardio and fitness center, and pool with elevated spectator seating.

Academic areas include science rooms with extended lab space, art rooms with natural lighting, a separate special needs area in one wing, and extra-wide hallways.

To allow for smooth class changes, the four two-story academic wings are on the north side of the building, and the athletic facilities are on the south side.

The 482,000-square-foot building is spacious enough to accommodate 2,200 students in the common areas, and 1,600 in the classrooms. Should the student population outgrow the building, Holifield said the school corporation is prepared to add another wing to accommodate up to 2,200 students in the classrooms as well.

Design of the school can be described as “prairie style,” a neutral concept that has been around since the 1950s.

Holifield said his favorite part of the entire building is the ellipse.

As for the numerous aspects factored into the layout of the new building, Holifield said extensive meetings were held with faculty members to ensure every need was thought out and planned for.

“You have to build a school based on what’s best,” he said. “Their input is really valuable.”

Moving dates have been set for May, June, and July for the high school library, furniture, and equipment to be transferred to the new building.

A dedication for the school has been planned for 2 p.m. June 29. During that time, members of the community can get an inside look of the much-anticipated project.

The building will open for the 2008-09 school year.

lindsay.jones@flyergroup.com

        

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