Pullman High School open house set for April 20

After nearly three years, the remodeling of Pullman High School is complete. The changes will be shown off at a public open house April 20. The school only kept two original parts – the old gym, which is now the auxiliary gym, and the metal shop. Everything else is new.

A ribbon cutting ceremony and open house has been slated at Pullman High School to show off the new school after nearly a three-year remodeling process.

“We broke ground in June of 2014,” said Joe Thornton, executive director of support services with Pullman School District.

The remodeling was extensive, said Thornton.

“In reality, other than the old gym which we kept and turned into an auxiliary gym, and the metal shop which was fairly new, the rest of the school is brand new,” he said. “We only kept two original pieces of the old school. It's very different.”

The remodeled school has added classrooms and made the science spaces into actual science classrooms with lab spaces and water connections.

“And other spaces have changed dramatically,” said Thornton.

He noted there is a brand new gym and a weight room, too.

“Our weight room is an actual weight room, not just a hallway off of the gym,” he said.

The remodeling was funded by a $50 million bond approved by voters in February of 2013. A portion of that bond also went to fund six additional classrooms at Franklin Elementary School, and the state contributed $14 million in matching funds.

Thornton noted the district was grateful to not have to utilize portables during the construction period. The old gym, however, was used for temporary classroom space for a brief period.

Thornton said the district is grateful to have been able to complete this project.

“We're thrilled by the way the building has come out,” he said. “We're excited about the space and extremely grateful to the Pullman community for their support.”

The open house will include tours and music by Pullman High School groups. The open house/ribbon cutting is slated for Thursday, April 20, from 6 to 7 p.m.