MORE ROOM FOR WEST MESA
All phases of project to be finished next summer
High school is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a total makeover, including a new $19 million building
West Mesa High is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a total makeover.
The school at 6701 Fortuna NW officially opened a new building that includes 26 classrooms, three computer labs and a state-of-the-art culinary arts facility.
Albuquerque Public Schools Superintendent Raquel Reedy broke ground for the $19-million project a year ago, and she said she was thrilled to see the finished product earlier this month.
“It’s done and it’s succeeded and it’s a perfect reflection of the West Mesa community,” she said. “This is a community that really comes together for its kids and education is so, so important.”
The new 47,000-square-foot building replaced 16 portables and M hall, which had few windows and strangely shaped classrooms.
Construction crews are still renovating the main courtyard and working on a second facility that will include 12 classrooms. The entire project should be completed by July 2017.
Social studies teacher Pamela Hamm called it a “fresh start” for West Mesa.
“We’re very happy here,” she said. “It’s really very nice.”
APS has celebrated several other major construction projects over the past few weeks, including two in the South Valley:
Rio Grande High School: The new Ninth Grade Academy is part of a $25 million campus upgrade that included new courtyards, patio, lighting and fencing, as well as classrooms for freshmen and sophomores.
Ernie Pyle Middle School: A two-story, 16,345-square-foot classroom wing adds 13 traditional classrooms, two science labs, a computer lab, five offices and conference space. The $11 million project also funded a renovated art complex and heating and cooling work throughout the school.
The district uses bond and mill levy money to cover construction and renovation.
In February, voters approved a $375 million mill levy and $200 million bond sale for new projects.