After months of work, the SC construction endeavour is on the brink of completion. Phase One of the project, “Groundwork for a Better Future,” which started early last year, includes the transformation of the old cafeteria to the new band room, a new and improved cafeteria where the music rooms used to be, restroom renovations, accessibility upgrades, and more at SC, with additional upgrades at NC as well. Phase One is not set to be fully complete until 2026; however, the most anticipated section, the cafeteria, is expected to conclude in October of this year. 

“The goal is, really, [to] give the students a place to connect and just feel like [they’re] at a high school.” SC Associate Principal Greg Gardner said.

Both the music and cafeteria areas were previously scheduled to be constructed before the start of the 2025-2026 school year, Gardner said. The setback is a result of several impediments throughout the process, including excessive snow that halted material deliveries for a period. 

“The scope of the project has always been very big,” Gardner said. “Any type of delay along the way sets things back with any construction project.” 

Overall, construction has made substantial progress at SC, with some of the latest additions now open to students and staff alike. The current new music sector, formerly the site of the old cafeteria, has now been transformed into band, orchestra, percussion, and health classrooms. 

“The new facilities are wonderful and are quickly starting to feel like home to the music department,” music teacher John Musick said. 

Additionally, the pool hallway reopened to alleviate student congestion in hallways and give them more time to arrive at their classes. Furthermore, the walls of Gyms One and Two were demolished and repaired in an emergency action after several loose bricks were noticed.

The cafeteria is the most anticipated part of the project and is set to include a variety of seating options, an upstairs student union, and an upgraded lunch system, Gardner said. As of now, SC students eat lunch in the gyms. The new space is expected to be glamorous, captivating, and alluring. 

“You’re just kind of met with this awe that there’s this large space that is warm [and] inviting,” Gardner said. “The photos don’t really do it justice.” 

Students are just as enlivened by the new addition.  

“I’m excited to see how the lunch room will look and not be [eating] in the gym,” Avery Urban ‘28 said.

The renovations grant SC a refreshed look and redefinition of character. Phase Two is scheduled to commence after Phase One is completed, which is not expected to conclude until 2026, and will include additional collaborative spaces for students, classroom modernization, and other enhancements.