Bigfork High School shows off new addition

Staff are ready to unveil a portion of Bigfork High School’s new addition as crews finish construction of new locker rooms and a band room.

The public is invited to attend an open house from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday. Staff and students will lead tours of the eight new classrooms.

“It’s a milestone,” Bigfork School District Superintendent Matt Jensen said.

Students and staff themselves recently moved into the new classrooms as construction begins on the existing building.

“Monday was the first day in those new classrooms,” Jensen said.

The addition is the first phase of a $14 million construction project to renovate the high school. The project remains on budget, according to Jensen.

Construction of the band room is expected to be completed toward the end of January. The new locker rooms are anticipated to be opened in mid-February.

“Then after that we’ll start the demolition of current locker rooms and start construction of a new commons and library space,” Jensen said.

When completed, new construction will add 24,000 square feet to the high school.

The entire project is slated to be completed by December 2017.

After checking out the new addition, the community is invited to attend the Bigfork basketball games versus Troy free of charge.

Jensen said it’s exciting to reach the point to be able to show construction progress to the community.

“It’s the community’s investment. It’s nice to show them what they’re investing in,” Jensen said.

Hilary Matheson is a reporter for The Daily Inter Lake. She may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.