WHS: As Project Winds Down, Emmett Shows Off Freshly-Renovated Space
WETHERSFIELD - It was delayed by a struggling economy in 2008.

       Then, a Department of Education space waiver helped it along after a $10 million asbestos and construction inflation-related overrun.

       But today, as Superintendent of Schools Mike Emmett walks through the nearly completed Wethersfield High School building, he can say that the work and trials of the $84 million project is behind him.

       â€"I’m very proud of what this school has become,” Emmett says, as he stands in a polished hallway overlooking the school’s courtyard and the vines growing against the green wall at the far end. â€"It’s been a long process, but the support of the community has been much appreciated.”

       And he’s more than happy to show off the building-three levels of renovated classrooms, a cafeteria that has compared to a college campus dining area, two gymnasiums, and a slew of new art and media spaces.

       At each finished touch, Emmett recounted the sacrifices students and staff made to help the district get there. In the absence of classrooms-the school just had 9 come back online, not including the entire Tech Ed. area-students filled swing space such as the former primary gymnasium.

       â€"From the students to the staff, everyone handled it all very professionally,” Emmett said.

       â€"Gymnasium A”, as it was formerly known, is now â€"Gym B”, with the Eagles basketball and volleyball teams utilizing the polished new venue that was among the cornerstone additions of the project as a whole.

       Today in Gym B, there are a couple of pickup basketball games-student athletes preparing for the winter season-but Emmett envisions it not only serving as a practice space, but one for competition as well.

       â€"This has really opened up a lot of opportunities,” he said. â€"And for the past three years, it has been classroom space.”

       The building recently saw the anticipated return of its pool facility-allowing the fall swim team to return to home turf. Emmett proudly displayed the venue’s new LED lighting-the product of a process that included duct work over the water.

       â€"We had the old fashioned fluorescent lights before,” Emmett said. â€"It was very dark-now, the light is very well-balanced.”

       The cafeteria-complete with TV monitors and a food court style lunch selection-is still a big hit, he says. He first walked members of the media through that area during the spring.

       â€"They [still] love the Panini maker,” he said. â€"They [also] love the burritos.”

       Among the site’s finishing touches was the tennis courts-shifted up toward Cottone Field, which has some new parking as well.

       â€"Now we don’t have to worry about parking for the athletic events,” Emmett said.

       Back inside, Emmett unveiled a new gallery display space that will reside between two art classrooms, as well as the school’s new television and digital photography studios.

       A music recording studio is coming, with that slated to open within the next two weeks.

       â€"It’s going to be awesome,” Emmett said. â€"We have a very strong cadry of musicians here-giving them an opportunity to dabble in that as a career, is exactly what we’re looking for.”

      

      
STORY BY MARK DIPAOLA   |  Nov 09 2016  |  COMMENTS?