Decatur board tours cafeteria work site

DECATUR — After nearly two weeks of extreme winter weather delaying work on Phase One of the Decatur High School renovation project, work resumed Feb. 22 on the new cafeteria.

During the afternoon of Feb. 23, the School Board had the chance to tour the facility and get a firsthand look at the progress made on the project over the last five months.

The tour was guided by David Groening and Aaron Young from Kinco Constructors and Architecture Plus Inc., the firms working on the project.

The tour lasted about 45 minutes and began with a look at the power pole situation near the band room and Peterson Gym. Two of these poles near the band room may have to be relocated.

But that situation will be addressed during phase two when the renovation of the high school building itself begins.

The tour moved to the cafeteria/kitchen construction area where board members Ike Owens, Kevin Smith, Amy Brooks, Karen Davis and Doug Holly, director of transportation and maintenance, had a host of questions about both areas.

At present, the roof and outside walls have been installed. The interior studs that separate the kitchen from the dining area and the main hallway have also been erected and are waiting to be enclosed.

One of the features of the new cafeteria is the main enclosed hallway on the west end of the building. When the entire project is complete, students will be able to get from one end of the high school to the other without having to go outside and into inclement weather. It will be more secure for students, faculty and staff.

Another feature of the new cafeteria will be a stage on the west end of the facility. With the bigger space the cafeteria provides, the band and choir will have a larger place to perform concerts. Both Decatur Middle and High schools can use the stage and cafeteria to hold programs and training sessions when needed.

The new Decatur High School cafeteria is expected to be complete by the beginning of the 2021-22 school year. Once completed, phase two, the renovation of the high school building, will begin.

(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Mike Eckels) The Decatur School Board listens to a representative from Kinco Constructors explain the plans for the outside space between Decatur Middle School and the new cafeteria Feb. 23. The board toured the facility to see what progress has been made so far.