Ground has broken for the expansion and renovations at Chatham-Kent Secondary School.
Chatham-Kent-Leamington MPP Rick Nicholls and officials from the Lambton Kent District School Board turned some sod on Friday to mark the start of the $3.56 million project at 285 McNaughton Avenue E. in Chatham. The work includes an expanded bus zone to improve student safety, a larger cafeteria, and more natural lighting.
Student Council President Areeba Ashraf said the renovation and cafeteria expansion should improve the learning environment for students.
"It'll be a lot nicer environment to study. It'll have a lot more natural lighting which allows for a better environment to just relax," said Ashraf.
Ashraf is glad the bus zone is improving because it gets very busy before and after school.
"It gets really crazy, even before school, cars coming in and going out. So, this will allow for a lot less traffic for the buses and people coming in and out of the school," she added.
Construction should begin in the spring of 2020 and should be finished by September.
Chatham-Kent Secondary School was built in 1963 and the last renovation was 2004.
Nearly 1.200 students go to the school.