LYON COUNTY, IA (KELO) — Some northwestern Iowa students will start classes next week surrounded by construction. Over the summer, crews have been making progress on a $32 million renovation at West Lyon Community School in rural Lyon County.
Construction started in mid-April. Once it’s done, there will be a new kitchen, cafeteria and commons area. Other additions include a new wrestling room, weight room and locker room on the west side of the building and nine additional classrooms. Four of them will be added on the south side of the building.
But, the big-ticket item will be the 700-seat auditorium.
“That’s something we’ve never had here. I think being able to give that space for a fine arts program, it will be an awesome opportunity for our kids,” West Lyon secondary principal Jerod Reinking said.
While construction will continue through the school year, classes will start on time next week Friday, but parking spots will be at a premium.
“Most of our parking will be on the west side of our building now, which we’ll have a temporary parking lot that’s created back there within the next week or so and then some parking out on the east side,” West Lyon school district superintendent Shawn Kreman said.
And the construction will force some to shuffle around.
“Some teachers have moved around. Four in the high school and four in the elementary have moved classrooms around this summer just based off space and the demo areas they’ve lost that classroom space,” Kreman said.
The project is expected to be completed in December of next year, but for now, patience is key.
“If you begin with the end in mind that when this project’s done, the enhancements that our students will get, our community will get, if you put that in perspective, those challenges will be a little easier,” Reinking said.
Once the school year starts, crews will focus on putting up the classroom walls as well as the painting, cabinetry and millwork inside the building.
