A Tour of The New Lyme-Old Lyme High School

Construction at Lyme-Old Lyme High School that began in the spring of 2012 is now almost compete. 

Yesterday, for the first time since the project began, all the students were able to attend classes in the new school building.

"As of [yesterday] morning, we brought everyone back from the portable trailers," said High School Principal James Wygonik.

There's still some finish work that needs to be completed, such as floor tiles in some areas, trim, and outside landscaping, most of which will be done during the summer. Still, it was nice to have everyone back under one roof again.

Pride of place was very much in evidence as Lyme-Old Lyme High School seniors gave tours of the new facility last night.

The most significant architectural change has been to enclose what was once an outside courtyard between two buildings that were linked by a covered bridge. The former courtyard has been transformed into "The Commons," an area that serves as a central meeting place that houses the revamped cafeteria and senior lounge.

The transformation has enlarged the school from 108,000 square feet to 123,000 square feet, but the entire floor plan has been reconfigured, with school offices relocated from the second floor to the first by the main entrance. The school is divided into separate wings for science and math, arts and shop, English and languages, all with the latest computers and technical equipment.

For taxpayers, the most significant aspect of the new building is that it was "renovated as new"—which under state funding guidelines means the town qualifies for significant reimbursements from the state.

"The Board of Education got that approved at the 11th hour," said Board of Education member Russ Gomes, Chair of the Board's Building Committee. 

The $47.79 million construction project was approved by voters in a referendum in 2009 but had been in the planning stages since 2005. "It hasn't been a cakewalk," said Gomes.

Still, now the project is nearing completion, and ahead of schedule, there are plenty of reasons to be cheerful.