Something old, something new: High school sees first major renovation in over a century

Things have changed just a little since Harrisburg High School's science labs were built in the 1940s, before the polio vaccine was developed, and so it's about time the labs get an update.

"It's a beautiful, beautiful building," said District Superintendent Mike Gauch. "But it's old."

New science labs will be just one among many upgrades and additions in the high school's renovation and construction project, set to begin this summer.

The original high school building, known as the "B" building, saw its first graduating class in 1903. Since then, the 112-year-old building has been flanked on either side by the "C" building in 1927 and the "A" building in 1937. The sturdy old brick and concrete buildings have stood the test of time, at least on the outside.

"If you stand 30 feet away from the building in the front and look at it, it's a beautiful building," said Superintendent Gauch. "It's when you get up close and inside that you see the problems."

Over the last century, the building sustained major water damage and deterioration. On the lower level of the C building, water stains can be seen in the ceiling tiles, an indication of major damage, as the roof is two stories above. The C building is the one building that is beyond all repair, and must be torn down, to the dismay of some in the community.

"People wanted to keep the building, but they didn't see the inside of it," said Assistant Principal Randy Smithpeters, who said he is fond of history, with the hint of a heavy heart. "It can't be fixed."

While buildings A and B will see extensive renovations, C building will be completely replaced with a modern facility that will include classrooms, new administrative offices, a cafeteria and a secondary gym. The current C building includes a secondary gym, Bonnell Gym, which will also be torn down.

Though C building could not be salvaged, it could have been worse. Structural engineers deemed the buildings structurally sound, and "little" asbestos was found. Lead paint was found only in the corridors of B building, which will be renovated.

The architectural beauty of Bonnell Gym and the building as a whole, constructed in a time when Harrisburg was booming with coal mine business, is undeniable. Preserving the high school's historic character was a main concern of the community's during the proposal process, said Smithpeters and the superintendent.

Architectural firm Kerkhover Studio Architects of Chester, in working with school officials, planned a new C building that would fit in with the old brick style of the older buildings, with a few modern touches. The result will be a functional space that can expand into a large area to host functions like graduation, while maintaining the school's historic charm.

The renovation and building project will come in at a total of $22 million, or less, the superintendent said. The district's original plan, to completely demolish the existing building and construct an entirely new one, would have been too costly at $40 to 50 million. The current project will include renovations to classrooms and new classroom technology, a new media center and library, a new cafeteria and a new vocational building.

The vocational building will expand from the back of the building, and will likely be a pre-engineered building such as a post-frame building. Harrisburg High School offers courses in auto mechanics, welding, woodworking and agriculture.

"We've got a large base of kids who are interested in trades and vocations, so we knew we needed to make a good space for them. It was a no-brainer," said Superintendent Gauch.

Funding for the project comes from a 1 percent Saline County sales tax, passed in April this year. The foundation plan for the project was already in place at that time, having been proposed four years ago, when the first referendum failed to pass.

Upgrades to electric, plumbing, and heating and cooling systems are also included in the project. An old coal chimney is still visible in the back of the building, and classrooms are cooled by loud window units. On an early June day, the hallways, empty of students, were already warm.

By the end of September, new heating and cooling systems will be in place for the classrooms. Electric upgrades will be finished by the time school starts. The renovations will also make the school more easily accessible to people in wheelchairs or with disabilities.

Groundbreaking for the new gym and cafeteria area will take place late this summer or early fall, said Ed Kerkhover of Kerkhover Studio Architects. Once the new gym is constructed, it will be used for temporary classrooms while C building is demolished and rebuilt.

The entire project could take three years to complete, but the building committee said there is a chance it could be done in two.

The committee is also making an effort to employ as much labor as possible.

"It helps our economy, puts more money in our system, generates more sales tax, which we can use for future projects," Superintendent Gauch said.

Labor for major parts of the renovation will have to come from outside of the area, but projects like tree removal and the installation of toilets can be done by local firms.