When students return to Great Lakes Secondary School in September, they will arrive to a new auditorium.
After four years and lengthy delays, the renovation and expansion project at the Murphy Road school wrapped up this spring.
Lambton Kent District School Board Superintendent of Business Brian McKay said the final piece of the $25 million project was the 586 seat auditorium.
"I was very much looking forward to turning the finished product over and being able to have our students use that space immediately for a full range of school activities," said McKay. "So, very bittersweet that we're now looking towards September for that first usage to occur."
The public school board terminated its contract with Jasper Construction for the renovation and expansion project in June 2020. It was then put into the hands of Wellington Builders Inc. from Forest to wrap up.
McKay said despite the numerous delays, the cost of the project remained on budget
"It was a timing aspect issue we were dealing with, it did not translate to additional costs," he said.
Other improvements included updated classrooms and an Indigenous community room.
A renovation permit was issued in May for the site.
McKay said it was for the HVAC upgrade in the gyms and shops as well as the replacement of the floor in the small gym.
