The summer looks to be busy for Carihi Secondary as repairs and installations of temporary spaces begin.
In Nov. 2024, a late-night fire was caused by spontaneous combustion resulting from cooking oils on fabrics and heat after laundering with inadequate ventilation. The fire damaged the A-Wing. Water and smoke damaged the B-Wing.
"We're going to be working on repairs and remediation in the gymnasium that will include the exterior gym wall and the roof," said School District 72 Superintendent Geoff Manning.
The district hopes the school's gym will reopen in January, following the work done on the exterior and roof during the summer, with interior repairs targeted for the fall.
Two classrooms underneath the gym are expected to be fully ready for the start of school.
"We have four brand new portables that are going to be installed over the summer, and they're going to be installed between F-Wing and C-Wing, kind of in the parking lot area that was between those two buildings," said Manning.
A commercial camp diner has been purchased. It will be installed in the lower west parking lot between the gym and the daycare.
"That will allow the culinary program to continue at Carihi," said Manning.
Another portable will augment the four new portables. The fifth portable will come from within the district, with the possibility of a sixth portable on the table. The fifth (and possibly sixth) will be up and ready for September.
Manning said all of these changes and the redevelopment of A-Wing, where the fire originated, will require a significant amount of preparatory work. There will be heavy equipment on the site, cranes, geotechnical work and more.
"So people can expect the property to be very active and a very active construction site throughout the summer. I think it's important to recognize that all of this work is always subject to unanticipated delays. We're at the mercy of the weather, third-party contractors and the regulatory process, but our operations team is working full out to ensure that Carihi is in the best shape possible for September startup," said Manning.
