May 08, 2006
By Pat Litowitz
New Castle News
Chatter engulfed the crowded hallways of New Castle Junior-Senior High School.
Visitors walked in and out of classrooms. Others headed to the cafeteria for a quick snack.
No hall passes required. No one told to be quiet.
Welcome to one of the largest house-warming parties around.
More than two years after students first entered, the district’s new facility was presented for community inspection.
Like a proud homeowner, Superintendent George Gabriel worked up until the start of dedication ceremonies to ensure the event’s success. Despite occasional glimpses of last-minute concerns, he and his staff welcomed guests with smiles, handshakes and hugs.
“This state-of-art facility is second to none,” said Judge Dominick Motto, a 1967 New Castle graduate, at last night’s dedication ceremonies.
“Clearly, the stories of success abound. The success of this district is not measured in dozens or hundreds but thousands of examples.”
Guided tours covered the school’s 53 classrooms and 13 special education classrooms. Some of the tour’s highlights included the school’s five computer labs, television studio and sports conditioning facilities.
“This building is a backdrop for a performance yet to come,” said David Esposito, vice president of Eckles Architecture and project manager for the new facility. “This is only a tool to be used by the community.
“I urge you to use this tool well.”
Approximately 1,100 people filled the school auditorium to witness the official dedication of the building.
“It is my hope and prayer that this building will carry the school district into the 21st century,” said Motto, who was the event’s featured speaker.
Gabriel recognized former Superintendent Joseph A. Martin Jr., along with past and present school board members, for their work and perseverance on the project. Also mentioned were deceased board members Larry Nord and George Mastrangelo and former business manager Marie Pisano, who died in 2003.
“This district has made its contributions to the community,” Gabriel told the audience.
The ceremony also featured the junior-senior high school’s band and chorus. First-grade students representing John F. Kennedy, Thaddeus Stevens and West Side primary centers delivered the pledge of allegiance.
FACILITY FACTS
Did you know?
•The new facility is 292,000 square feet. The former junior and senior high buildings had a combined area of 307,000 square feet.
•The new building cost about $50 million.
•There are approximately 1,600 students in grades seven through 12.
•The school library, which is used by junior high and senior students, covers 6,000 square feet.
•The school’s field house, which seats 2,310, is the lone remaining structure from the former high school. An auxiliary gym seats 350 and features a regulation high school basketball court.
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