Du Quoin High School Groundbreaking
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Good things come to those who wait.
Very good things come to those who wait and wait and wait.
That was the theme of Monday's groundbreaking at the site of the new two-story Du Quoin High School academic.
Architect Paul Lunsford called the entire DHS campus project the "crown jewel" of his 30-year and the finished campus is expected to exceed everyone's expectations.
New industrial education building. Complete renovations to things Du Quoin holds dear like the R.P. Hibbs Auditorium, Anders gymnasium and VanMetre Field. Yet, the makeover is so extreme they will look and feel like newly constructed facilities.
It is a journey 10 years in the making, Supt. Dr. Gary Kelly told those attending. It began with an Illinois Capital Development Board survey following a district request for funding for only a new media center, two classrooms and science room upgrades. It evolved into the submission of an application for a new campus.
Dr. Kelly said the $18 million construction plan would never have happened without the unconditional commitment from the City of Du Quoin. That includes the half-cent retail sales tax which will pay off the local share of bonding. Commissioners carried those thoughts back to last night's city council meeting. City representatives appreciated the acknowledgement.
Dr. Kelly talked about the "bumps in the road" with respect to state funding delays, but added that everyone stayed the course because "our kids deserve this." He went on to thanks the local banks, the chamber, board members, administrators (including the new high school principal who was in attendance) and staff. Architect Paul Lunsford said everyone's "resiliency speaks for itself."
Construction will take 18 months and Pastor Mike Ebersohl asked in his prayer, "Lord, bless this project from the turning of the dirt to the turning of the key."
Following the groundbreaking, the afternoon's program moved eastward to the ribbon-cutting and open house at the new Industrial Education building. City commissioner Yvonne Spencer told members of the council Monday night it is an impressive building that will serve generations of students to come very well.