Pottsgrove Christens New Home for Homecoming

Photo by Evan Brandt

Pottsgrove School officials, joined representatives of the architects and construction contractor for the three-year renovation and expansion of Pottsgrove High School, in cutting the ribbon for the grand opening of the $30 million project.

OK, so it was a little late.

Well, a lot late really. but what's 12 months between friends.

A year after students returned to the renovated and expanded Pottsgrove High School -- a project which took three years and more than $30 million -- the school district got around to cutting the ribbon.

Visitors tour the newly renovated library.

"When we first started talking about this project, it an was $11 million building envelope project," said former Pottsgrove School Board President Justin Valentine. "I'm glad the administration had the wisdom to get us to look at a broader project. Every time I drive past this building now, I think 'it looks just like the architect's pictures.'"

"I love this project, the energy, how involved the staff and even the students were in making the decisions," said Mike Kelly, project's chief architect from KCBA Architects.

"We spent a lot of very long nights here," said School Board President Matt Alexander. "But we really are now in the 21st Century for education and this project takes a big step toward our goal of making Pottsgrove a school district of choice."

"This is a state of the art facility, modeled on what the world, work place and universities look like," said Principal William Ziegler.

The full Pottsgrove High School Homecoming Court.

After the ribbon was cut, visitors were offered a tour of the building, which includes new spaces for art, music, science and athletics.

The district will also buy a time capsule that is not to be opened until 2041.

Afterward, the annual Homecoming Crowning Ceremony was held in the auditorium and new queens named for each class.

An hour later, Pottsgrove celebrated its Homecoming Game with a resounding victory of crosstown rival, Pottstown.

As Ziegler, an alum of the school he now leads, said: "it's a good day to bleed maroon and white."

Look to coming editions of The Mercury for more coverage. Here are some Tweets from the day: