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Remodeling for East to begin this spring
by Mike Bowser
O&B Staff Reporter
This summer East High will receive a much needed face-lift that will continue over the next six years.
On May 25, the community of Waterloo went to the polls and passed the proposed 1-cent local option sales tax.
Architects then spent eight months working with students, staff, and members of the community on a design solution for the building.
On January 24, the Waterloo Community School District passed the first of eight phases of the remodeling project.
The first phase of the project includes a new front door on the Vine Street side of the building that will create an updated look for the building.
A new two floor commons, allowing the school to go to closed lunch, will be connected to the gymnasium for concessions.
The picture above shows the existing building on the left side with the new commons on the right side. The new entry is also pictured here, on the Vine street side of the building, where some re-designing of the street layout will happen.
Also, a new kitchen, practice gymnasium, and a much needed
wrestling room will also fit into this phase that should be completed by August, 2001.
Also planned to be completed by August, 2001 is phase two, which will remodel the space vacated by the relocated commons.
This phase also relocates all of the school's office functions to the first floor by the front entry for "one-stop-shopping" for students and parents.
Also included in the plans are new athletic facilities including a weight room, locker rooms, and updated competition gym.
A hallway will start at the main entry for the building and will run through East dividing the classrooms from what the public will use.
There will be a two story media center where the  old gym and counseling offices are currently located, with an outdoor study area planned.
Also planned is an outdoor environmental courtyard so that students can go outside without a security problem and also to provide a place where they can enjoy the outside with a closed lunch.
A new classroom wing with science labs to help solve the traffic pattern and to also make the building completely handicapped accessible is also part of the plan.
Included also is a new music and industrial arts wing, where acoustically improved music facilities and inside access to the shop will be available.
A small theater or a black box theater which will also double as a two hundred and fifty seat lecture hall for combining several classes.
Improvements will  also be made in the theater's seating and acoustical systems. The building will also have new windows and a sprinkler system installed.
The class of 2003 will experience transformation up to phase four. The first concern of students at East when they learn about the plans is what is going to happen to open lunch.
Mrs. Meier stated, "The school board may make closed lunch required."
Many students feel that closed lunch is not something that they want.
Senior Jason Parks said, "I think there should be an area separate for juniors and seniors in the commons area."
Some staff feels that the new commons area is a great improvement to East High.
Art teacher Mrs. Michel stated, "The commons area is a great idea. Students need an uncluttered area to get away from the school atmosphere."
While it has not yet been determined whether or not closed lunch will be required, the building remodeling will begin as soon as school is let out.

Updated 2/20/00 by Mike Bowser