Central renovations on time, under budget

Naperville Sun
March 17, 201
By KATHY CICHON

It seems everyone at Naperville Central High School is leaving for spring break. Even the mummy formerly known as Butch.

While students are on vacation, the approximately 2,020-year-old mummy will be moved to Naperville North High School for safekeeping as construction at Central continues.

"North is excited about having her," said Carrie McFadden, assistant principal for operations.

On any given day there are generally 25 to 50 workers on site as work on the south addition at Central continues. The high school is in the midst of an $87.7 million renovation project that includes approximately 170,000 square feet of new construction and 370,000 square feet of renovation. Work began last May and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2011.

"We're pretty much on time," said Ralph Weaver, director of facilities and construction for Naperville School District 203. . . . While plans for the renovation began several years ago, the overall timing has been beneficial to the cost. "We're below budget," Weaver said. "It's about $7 million below budget." . . .

Once complete, the school will include new global communication and research learning environments, along with new athletics and wellness spaces. The existing science labs will be converted into a fine arts and music wing, and the existing cafeteria will become a new library and media center.

A new cafeteria and commons space will be formed by the enclosure of an existing exterior courtyard, which also involves the construction of a three-story wing.

"The academic wing will be ready when school starts on Aug. 25," said Melea Smith, director of communications for the district.

The first floor will feature health classes, a couple of special education classes and the athletic director's office. The social studies department will be on the second floor and the third floor will house the new science labs.

"One of the reasons why this all got started," McFadden said, "(was) trying to get our science labs into the 21st century."

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