The first phase of the new Platte County High School reconstruction plan is complete, with district officials hosting a ribbon cutting event and community tour for several hundred patrons last week.
Following comments from Superintendent Dr. Jay Harris; Patrick Smith, Incite Design Studio designer; Lynn Newkirk, Newkirk Novak Construction Partners owner; Dr. Keith Jones, PCHS Principal; Abigail Wittel, PCHS Student Body President; and Doug Doll, Platte County School District Board of Education President, the official ribbon was cut and the facility was opened for self-guided tours for guests.
The classroom wing and the cafeteria will open up for full student use starting second semester, practices will begin in the new fieldhouse and wrestling room in mid-December, and events are scheduled to begin in the new facility after the first of the year.
The project was part of R-3’s April 2021 no tax increase bond issue, and included a two-story addition on the southwest side of PCHS where the former baseball field was located.
This phase includes 26 classrooms, including science labs and flexible learning spaces; a new main gymnasium complex, weight room and health classroom; cafeteria commons; and kitchen/serving area. Phase I also included the construction of a new baseball field, some stadium upgrades, and improved parking and traffic patterns.