Construction nears completion at Blooming Prairie High School on Owatonna

BLOOMING PRAIRIE — Millions of dollars worth of construction is nearing completion at Blooming Prairie High School.

“At this point, we are just adding the finishing touches,” said Superintendent Barry Olson.

The construction began after Blooming Prairie voters approved a $14 million bond referendum in 2007. The bond paid for renovations and additions to the high school building, including a new science facility, a new media center, a new track, a new bus loop, new locker rooms and a new entrance for school safety. The bond also included a new multi-purpose room, which is used for special events and banquets, as well as sporting activities.

Olson said the changes are having a positive impact on students at Blooming Prairie in both the areas of academics and school safety. Some of the tasks doled out to construction workers included the replacement of kitchen utilities, such as the refrigerators and freezers, the replacement of ceiling tiles and the installation of a new heating and air conditioning system. Olson said these changes will foster a better learning environment.

“The classrooms are quieter,” said Olson. He said some of the rooms also featured new insulation, which will keep noise to a manageable level.

Work on this year’s renovations began after school let out in the spring, but the work on the project actually began more than two years ago.

“A lot of the improvements were made last year,” said Olson.

During the summer of 2008, Blooming Prairie High School saw a number of upgrades. These included the installation of new lockers and major changes to the media center. The media center was moved to the north side of the school, where space was expanded and new technology was put in.

The gym was also refinished in 2008 and new track was laid on the north side of the school.

“I think the students are happy with the changes,” said Olson.

He said the students are also benefiting from the versatility of the upgraded computer labs, where students can wither work on the computers or they can turn around to face the chalkboard for more traditional classroom lessons. They also have a new science room.

But the additions made this summer are larger in scope than the changes made last summer, and they will affect the school’s use at all levels.

The building offers both a student-centered office, and an administrative hallway at the south end of the school, with space set aside for the offices of the principal, the athletic director and the counselor. There is also a separate board room.

Olson said on Thursday that construction workers and the staff were busy moving into the offices, and they hope to have everything finished by next week. An open house will be held later this fall, from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 11.

Melissa Kaelin can be reached at 444-2372.

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