SOUNDSLIDE: VCI moves to its new home, a day of mixed emotions

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It was a crisp, bright autumn morning when the trucks pulled up at the site of the new Vankleek Hill Collegiate Institute (VCI) last Friday, November 12.

Across the way, the school's staff members and teachers were inside the soon-to-be "old" building, packing up boxes in their classrooms and preparing to move them next door.

It was the school's official moving day, one that arrived nearly a full year ahead of schedule and effectively closed the chapter on the last 56 years of VCI history.

Principal Jeffrey Campbell takes a few minutes to chat in his office, seated by a window that offers a near-panoramic view of the old school building.

"It's really an exciting time and it's one of those times where you think mixed emotions, because you're saying goodbye to the old but you're excited about the new," Campbell said. "I'm very pleased with the work that both the students and staff have put in, in the last couple of weeks. You know what it's like to move a home, so you can imagine how much work is involved in moving a whole high school - especially when you've accumulated so many things over the years."

Laid out on the desk in front of him are VCI's school registers from the late 19th century, detailing everything from course loads to religion to parents' names; along with the old school bell, such mementoes will become an integral part of the new building's design.

Students began classes in the new building this past Monday, November 15, after cleaning out their lockers during a somewhat emotion-filled final day in the old school last Thursday.

The new 58,000-square-foot school, located behind the old building, features a double gymnasium (with a wooden floor paid for through community fundraising), a cafetorium with a stage and an adjacent serving area, a physics lab, a chemistry lab, a biology lab, two computer labs, a special education life skills room, an auto shop, a woodworking shop, and a modern visual arts room.

"What makes [the building] special is that the fiber optic line coming in is a one-gigahertz line, 10 times faster than a typical line that we had before," Campbell explained. "There are computers in all the classrooms, as well as smart boards and ceiling-mounted LCD projectors. This is yet another tool to support the great work [teachers and staff] do."

Large windows, as well as a courtyard in the centre of the building, bring a wealth of natural light for students to enjoy - much of which falls into a spacious wooden library.

"The actual square footage is smaller, but there's a lot more room in the hallways for students, and the atrium and courtyard are designed as such that there's a lot of light that makes it into the space," the principal continued. "That natural light makes it a very warm and inviting place, and helps create that positive learning space."

The new school was originally scheduled to be completed by September 2011, meaning the move comes almost a year ahead of schedule: "We were blessed with some great weather and a stellar contractor and his team of sub-contractors, who worked very hard to make it happen early. It's another real positive that we're able to have the facility ready for students earlier than planned.

"It's been a lot of work but it's been a real labour of love."

The school will also serve the Prescott Players theatre group and the Vankleek Hill Farmers' Market, which holds its first day in the new school this Saturday, November 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

"We're very excited about the building, and I think the community is too," Campbell noted. "We're delighted to continue that partnership with the Farmers' Market. They've been very supportive of our students over the years."

The old school will be cleaned out in the new few weeks, and there is some contained asbestos that must be removed. The demolition is expected to take place slightly before or during the holiday period.

"It will be sad to see it go, but then this will open up the green space in the front, so we hope to be able to have another soccer pitch for the community, for the kids to use in the summer time," Campbell said. "We've got a community group looking at the feasibility of putting in some lights  at the back soccer field so that a lot of soccer can occur into the evening."

The official opening ceremony of the new VCI will take place sometime next spring, the principal said, reflecting on what the completion of the building means to all those involved: "It really is coming full circle, because we think about how much the community, the school council and the staff all rallied to make this a reality... and it's all of our efforts, the fruits of our labour, happening. It's such a great feeling to see it all come together."

See below for a soundslide of images from the new school and an audio interview with principal Jeffrey Campbell.