LP kicks off renovation with window breaking – LaSalle News Tribune

It took about 30 whacks with a hammer on a 4-by-8-foot panel of drywall Tuesday to kick off the $38 million renovation of La Salle-Peru Township High School.

It wasnt any old drywall. The board had been painted by artist John Kettman of La Salle to look like a third floor window. Window replacement is one of projects goals and since there is no ground being broken, the school held a window breaking instead.

Today its hard to believe that, four and a half years ago, when the board gave us the green light to begin pursuing, number one, a strategic plan, Wrobleski said. We were able to whittle that plan down to a dollar amount that the community felt comfortable agreeing to. I know I speak for the board when I share how truly grateful we are for the support of the community.

Board president Tony Sparks said this is the first major renovation of the school in 54 years.

Theres very exciting work ahead. Im sure youre all ready to start turning wrenches and doing what you do to turn this place around and make it a better facility for the kids the next couple of years and, who knows, the next 40, 50 years down the road, Sparks said.

More than two dozen people gathered around the faux window for a group photo. After speeches, board members gave it a whack, followed by mayors of La Salle and Peru, construction planners and managers, school administrators and staff, and anyone else who wished to punch a hole in the board. When finished, it looked like someone took 28 pot shots at the window. Two whacks were directed at the surrounding brick, drawing some friendly ribbing. Commemorative claw hammers were distributed for whacking and as keepsakes.

Work is underway on repairing exterior masonry and asbestos. This summer windows and some roof sections will be replaced and temporary classrooms installed outside. The project is expected to finish in the fall of 2018. Workers also will upgrade heating, ventilation and air conditioning.

The project was designed by architectural firms, Kmetz of La Salle and Legat of Chicago. It will be overseen by Pepper Construction, with guidance from Brownfield Environmental Engineering of Beloit and AMSCO Engineering of Downers Grove, according to a press release.

We know at the end of this 14-, 15-, maybe 16-month journey its something were going to be proud of. our kids, our grandkids, are going to be incredibly proud of, Wrobleski said.

Voters approved a bond referendum last fall, 6,620 to 6,426, or 51 percent to 49 percent. Owners of homes with $100,000 market value will pay an estimated $142 more annually for 20 years. Last year, the high school held public meetings and conducted mail and phone surveys, indicating voters would not support an earlier plan of $67 million. Reacting to negative public feedback, a citizen task force advised the district to scale back to $38 million.

Jeff Dankert can be reached at (815) 220-6977 or lasallereporter@newstrib.com. Follow him on Twitter @NT_LaSalle.

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LP kicks off renovation with window breaking - LaSalle News Tribune