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Workers paint a Blue Pony Tuesday in the new addition to Sunnyside Intermediate School during the open house. Workers paint a Blue Pony Tuesday in the new addition to Sunnyside Intermediate School during the open house. Workers paint a Blue Pony Tuesday in the new addition to Sunnyside Intermediate School during the open house. Workers paint a Blue Pony Tuesday in the new addition to Sunnyside Intermediate School during the open house. Workers paint a Blue Pony Tuesday in the new addition to Sunnyside Intermediate School during the open house.
Alyssa Crawford and Mackenzie Dean pick up Mackenzie's fourth-grade teacher assignment Tuesday at Sunnyside School in the new addition to the school during its open house.
After an often-tumultuous year-and-a-half of construction marked by delays, the public finally got a look at the newly overhauled Sunnyside Intermediate School Tuesday night during an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony.
Faculty, school board members, Ambassadors of the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce and members of the community, young and old, filed into the school's new foyer, touring the new quarters as contractors were still painting a pair of the school district's blue pony logos onto the floor.
Andy Carlson, superintendent of Havre Public Schools, said there are still pieces of glass for offices and ceiling tiles that still have to be installed, but the bulk of the work is done.
"This year we are a long ways from where we were last year," said Carlson. "The nice part of this year is we're ready for kids, last year we weren't quite in the same place."
When classes began last year, delays in construction forced the district to set up trailers outside the school, so the fourth- and fifth-graders normally housed in the building could start classes on schedule.
Carlson said the expansion encompasses more than the new gymnasium that has become synonymous with the nearly $5 million dollar project, but also includes a host of improvements ranging from the renovation of all classrooms and a new library and a new music room to more structural changes such as the installation of new cabinets and electrical work.
Carmen Lunak, principal at Sunnyside, called the newly augmented building "the finest elementary facility in the state."
"It's impressive," said Lunak. "I just have to thank people at every level: the community, the school board, Superintendent Carlson and every individual that helped make this happen."
Terry Sather, a former teacher at the school who retired earlier this year, was on hand and cut the ribbon while flanked by faculty, school board members and Chamber ambassadors.
"He epitomizes what you want," said Carlson of Sather, who had worked for the school district for 38 years. "Every day he's a professional. He goes about his business and everything he does is about kids."
Carlson said that in the end, the new facilities make for a more modern school that will stand the test of time.
"This building is going to be here a long, long time," said Carlson.
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