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CLOUDY Temp: 45 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Wednesday, February 19, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend January 22, 2003 School projects hit halfway mark New Eagle Point High School gymnasium impresses students; other work moves along By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune EAGLE POINT — Three projects down, and three to go. On Monday, construction crews wrapped up work on a new gym for Eagle Point High School, reaching the halfway mark in a series of district-wide improvements projects. "It’s really moving along," said Superintendent Bill Jones. Meanwhile, Medford-based Batzer Inc. already has kicked off work on three new buildings — White City Middle School, Eagle Point Elementary School and Eagle Point Middle School. A completion date is slated sometime in September for the three schools. Although the basketball hoops aren’t installed and a few finishing touches remain, high school and middle school students had a chance to check out the new high school gymnasium during physical education classes on Tuesday. "This is the first time I’ve been in here," said sixth-grader Sydney Reischman, who had to crane her neck for a better view of the high ceilings. "It’s bigger. It has better stuff." "It’s pretty cool. I liked the old gym but this one is better," added sixth-grader Garrett Davis. "It looks like it will hold for a while." David McFall, the district’s construction project manager, said the new building cost $1.4 million. The 12,000-square-foot structure features locker rooms, a lobby and weight room. "It took eight months to finish. That’s actually pretty quick when you think about it," said McFall. "We’re very pleased with the building." The old high school gym won’t be demolished, school officials said on Tuesday. Students will use both buildings for P.E., practice, games, performances and events. The new gym is just one of six improvement projects in the district. In 2000, voters approved a $34 million bond to pay for two middle schools, extra classrooms and an elementary school. The bond already has paid for a new building for Shady Cove middle-school students. In September 2002, Gold Hill-based contractor Vitus Inc. finished a four-classroom addition to Mountain View Elementary School in White City. In December, Vitus wrapped up work on a $700,000 building to house middle school students in Shady Cove. Vitus also was responsible for the new gym, added McFall. McFall said the goal is to have students attending classes inside the schools now being built when the start of the next school year rolls around. Eagle Point Middle School and White City Middle School are identical buildings, but McFall said the colors will be different to reflect the surrounding communities. When complete, each 56,000-square-foot middle school will be able to accommodate 540 students. Roughly 450 students are expected to move into each school. Each building costs $7.5 million, McFall said. The new, 40,000-square-foot elementary school costs $6 million and will have a capacity of 420. School officials anticipate 350 students will move in once construction is complete. Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S