Laconia Middle Schools students now using new cafeteria

Laconia Middle School students began using their new lakeside cafeteria last week and, with any luck, 8th graders will be able to graduate in a ceremony held in the new gymnasium on June 17.

Superintendent Bob Champlin told the school board last week that the old Memorial gym and cafeteria, next door, is officially out of commission and asbestos abatement work is now ongoing. Demolition of the last standing parts of the old school is slated to begin on or about May 20.

Champlin said the new kitchen is not yet operational, so meals for middle schoolers are being prepared at Elm Street Elementary School and shipped over. That arrangement is likely to continue through the end of the current school year, though the construction completion date — not including parking and landscaping — is now June 7.

The last day of spring/summer classes in the new $23-million facility will June 19.

The new school was built in phases so that students would not have to leave campus during the construction period. The new, three-story, classroom building went up first and upon its completion, the old Memorial classrooms were torn down to make way for the new cafeteria and gym. The old gym and cafeteria remained in service during the current school year. The spot where the old gym wing now stands will be converted into a parking lot.