Unalaska, AK – The school celebrated its official construction completion last week with a brief ceremony in the cafeteria next to the brand new kitchen. Voters approved a $4.5 million bond last November to renovate the high school building. School superintendent John Conwell thanked voters, city staff, and the construction crew for making the building improvements possible

"You know to think that just a little over a year ago, the voters of the City of Unalaska approved the bond issue that allowed us to do this fabulous project. And we've known for a long time that these are some improvements, this deferred maintenance that we've needed to do on this building. And it's hard for me to believe that just a year later this has become a reality."

The renovations included new lights, major roof repairs, wall reinforcement to handle snow loads, new carpets, and a brand new kitchen with new appliances, a walk-in freezer, and double the space.

"They've got a new walk-in freezer back there," Conwell told the crowd. "Hopefully we won't be calling Unisea to see if we can store our cheese down there. As Linda used to always to tell me, Oh Mr. Conwell, we have a crap load of cheese here. I don't know what to do with it.' You know, from the federal government. So now we can store all that."

Conwell said the project began a year and a half ago when an architect looked at the building to plan the renovations. Construction started last spring. Conwell said that when the contractors worked on the building they also gave demonstrations to students to help them learn about welding techniques, window installation, and other skills.

The only task left involves upgrading the heating and ventilation system to give it central electronic controls and make it more energy efficient. That project should be completed by spring. The entire renovation is coming in slightly under budget.