District 203 Facility Upgrades

A new year also means new facilities for one District 203 school.

The press box at Naperville North High School's football field received a makeover, including a repainted exterior banner, rooftop access, new countertops, and two private rooms for each of the team's coaches.

Inside the school two physics lab were completely redone as well.

The rooms have all new tables and electrical reels hanging from the ceiling, which students can plug their projects into. The tiling was stripped away, leaving a more industrial look.

Lastly, the band and orchestra rooms received a remodeling too, now featuring acoustic panels on the wall and energy efficient lights. The flooring was tiered but has now been leveled off.

On the elementary level, two schools are getting a new gymnasium so they no longer have to cram physical education and lunch into the same space.

Crews at Elmwood are currently doing precast work on the shell of the 6,400 square-foot gym.

The district expects to have it finished by October with a cost of $1.7 million.

"It's going to allow the district to go ahead and separate gym activities from the cafeteria and kids eating lunch so a bigger space that's definitely, definitely needed at the school," said Craig Siepka, representing the district's architect firm, Wright and Company.

Meanwhile at Prairie School, construction of its gym is yet to begin, as crews have to finish expanding its parking by 20 additional spaces first.

The extra spots are to be used for visitor parking during additional activities, like plays and sports.

After that's finished, crews will be start building the 6,300 square-foot gym. Total work there is also valued at $1.7 million.

And the proposal to build a multipurpose room at another school was brought to the table at the latest district 203 school board meeting.

Siepka presented plans for the additional space at Steeple Run, which would cost roughly $1.8 million, or for a total of $2.5 million, the district could opt for the multipurpose room and a new main office, moved from the school's center to near the building's entrance.

That would then leave more room for small group instruction, like the English Language Learners, or E.L.L., program.

Board members agreed not to make a rash decision and decided to revisit the proposals at their next meeting on September 3RD.