New Phila High School music wing, gym to get A/C this summer
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (February 15, 2023) – A long-awaited project to bring air conditioning to New Philadelphia High School’s gym and music wing is on schedule to take place this summer.
Band Director Jeff Furbay says people have been talking about installing A/C for around 30 years.
“The first time I was told there would be air in the band room was 1994,” he said.
Superintendent Amy Wentworth says they can tackle the $2.3 million project now with ESSER funds – federal money given to school districts for COVID-related expenses. Air conditioning qualifies as an improvement to air circulation.
The work will be done over the summer – starting June 1st and concluding before classes resume.
The gym and music wing will be closed during the work, but Wentworth says the temporary inconvenience will be worth it.
“It’s going to be a huge improvement to our district,” she said.
Ray Avenue might be closed at some point as large cranes install the heating and cooling units.
Wentworth says the district initially planned to do the work last summer, but supply chain issues delayed it until this year.