By Brenda Sexton, The Courier-Herald
Two years ago, almost to the day, dignitaries, school officials and community members waded through the muck, braved a downpour and huddled under a canopy in the middle of 84.5 acres at the end of 120th Street East outside Buckley to break ground on the White River School District's new high school.
Thursday, the community is invited to come back to the same site and see the finished product. The open house, hosted by the school district, begins at 7 p.m.
Although the school opened in September, delays in completion of areas like the theater kept the district from holding a "proper" open house for the public. Superintendent Jay Hambly said he, the White River School Board and staff are ready to show off its gem.
"We are prepared to christen this beautiful facility that the community should be proud of," Hambly said.
The anticipation, he said, has been overwhelming.
In 1988, the bond for remodeling the high school on "C" Street in downtown Buckley failed twice. At that time the school district turned to an architectural firm to investigate its options. After researching, the firm suggested a new facility. In 1999, the board decided to go that route and the community approved a bond in 2000.
The school serves students from Buckley, Carbonado, Wilkeson and South Prairie.
Guests and visitors Thursday will be asked to gather in the high school's commons area for introductions of dignitaries and construction leaders. Also on the agenda is the dedication of the project's art wall, created by Pacific Northwest artist Pam Beyette from Wilkeson sandstone and funded by state and county art funds.
A ribbon cutting and plaque unveiling are also planned, followed by student-led tours of the facilities.
The WRHS jazz band will perform throughout the evening and refreshments will be provided at the conclusion.
The total WRHS project cost more than the original $50 million estimate, but Hambly said community members should not be alarmed. The voters were promised projects and all will be completed.
"We will fulfill our obligation to the community and have the money to do that," Hambly said.
By far the high school was the largest and most costly project included in the 2000 bond issue. Other bond projects on the "completed" list include the White River Middle School reroofing; Wickersham Elementary School campus expansion and upgrade; Wilkeson Elementary School roof replacement; Elk Ridge Elementary School parking improvements, floor covering replacement and interior and exterior paint; Foothills Elementary parking improvement and floor covering replacement; Mountain Meadow Elementary School vinyl replacement; the high school vocational annex roof repair and the centralization of support services.
Still on the list for completion are conversion of the old high school to a second middle school, upgrades to the current middle school, parking improvements at the middle school, upgrades to the Elk Ridge heating and cooling system, Mountain Meadow parking and playground improvements, districtwide security and safety and districtwide implementation of technology.
Brenda Sexton can be reached at bsexton@courierherald.com
