What's old is new again

MINOOKA – With the completion of the new Minooka Intermediate School and Jones Elementary, as well as an addition to Minooka Elementary School, work at the old Minooka Intermediate School has gotten under way.

Completion of the work to convert the facility into an early childhood center is slated for Dec. 31.

"All the walls inside are up, and the inside of the building is taking shape," Superintendent Al Gegenheimer said.

Once work is completed, the administration offices that are currently housed on Mondamin Street will be moved to the building, along with the early childhood classes and kindergarten classes presently housed at Minooka Junior High, Aux Sable School and Minooka Elementary.

The building was built in 1924 and served as a first- through 12th-grade building until 1961, when Minooka Elementary School was built.

The next 10 years, until 1971, the building served as Minooka High School. I became Minooka Junior High in  1971, and served in that capacity until 1997, when the new junior high was built.

Since that time, the building has housed intermediate grades in various combinations.

After construction is complete, the building will start the next phase of it's life.

Administration will move into the building next spring.

"The two-story portion of the building, the basement with low exposed piping ceiling and the upstairs, including the old library, will be used for storage and administration," Gegenheimer said.

He said renovation of the basement was cost prohibitive, as it was for the upstairs portion of the building, so these areas will only be cleaned and repainted.

The current administration offices have annually cost the district $36,000 in rent, plus utilities.

The early childhood classes have been housed at the junior high for the past three years and were at one time in the 1990s located at the Minooka Community High School. The move to the old intermediate school will free space at the junior high, allowing more room for incoming students.

Moving the kindergarten students from Minooka Elementary School and Aux Sable will also free up some much needed room at those schools, where space is still at a premium.

The money for the renovation was part of the referendum that also paid for the new schools.

"The building is getting a face lift inside by getting paint throughout," Gegenheimer said. "Each classroom will also be equipped with child-friendly sinks and hallway lockers will be replaced with cubbies."

He said all the bathrooms will also be equipped with child-friendly fixtures, and new bathrooms were added.

A play area was also added west of the school.

A new roof, tuck pointing and staining of brick to match the original color, as well as removal and replacement of concrete steps and sidewalks, are also part of the work being completed.

Once completed the building will accommodate 600 half-time students.