When you have an older school, you are bound to have issues. Bridgeport High School is not an exception to that rule.

 

Although not part of the original building that was open to students in 1963, the canopy that leads to the BHS theatre and also directs individuals to the administrative office has been in place for decades. It’s seen better days, and no one knows that more than Principal Mark DeFazio.

 

“It’s just old and it has holes in it. The holes look really bad and the canopy as a whole, due to its age, just looks terrible,” said DeFazio. “There’s a function problem as well because when it rains there’s often flooding underneath and it makes getting into the building a problem. The problem’s been getting worse for last few years.”

 

The problem is about to become a thing of the past. According to Harrison County Board of Education Director of Maintenance Joe Ammons, the existing canopy is about to removed. A new one will be going up in its place.

 

Unlike the existing canopy, which Ammons described as fairly standard v-type panel, the new canopy will offer function, more durability and a much better look.

 

“We’re going to a flat structural panel that will definitely have a better appearance, especially when looking at it from underneath,” said Ammons. “For the most part, it’s going to look similar to what’s in place. We are going to do a little pyramid shape to the area (fronting the school) that will be a little more decorative than what’s there now, which is pretty much nothing but the end of the canopy.”

 

Work is expected to begin perhaps by the end of this month or next month. Ammons said the project has been bid and awarded to City Window and Construction. The project is not a cheap one. Ammons said the cost is roughly $100,000. The Harrison County BOE is funding the project as opposed to it coming from dollars in the school’s own financial line item.

 

“Depending on the arrival of the canopy, they should be ready to roll soon. That could be a week from (Tuesday) or a little bit longer,” said Ammons.

 

The contract calls for a project time frame of 42 calendar days. Ammons said he doesn’t think it will take that long and part of the time frame includes the ordering of the canopy and its arrival.

 

“I would say as far as working weeks, if you get three solid weeks of time to work on this the contractor should be complete,” said Ammons.

 

Ammons said the new canopy will hold up better to ice and snow that often builds up on them. He said some problems related to the existing canopy are weather related, but most of the issues stem from the age of the structure.

 

“It’s served the school well. It’s time for a new one and we hope this one will provide an even longer life to Bridgeport High School,” said Ammons.

 

The project will create issues with access to the school during parts of the construction period. Ammons said he will work with DeFazio on making sure all of those issues are addressed and getting in and out of the school at other points doesn’t create any issues to the learning environment.

 

“We’ll be able to figure something out with as little disruption as possible,” said Ammons.

 

This project, along with the school being power washed this summer, will be the second one planned to add new life to the old building. Although it hasn’t started, a project should be complete by the end of this calendar year that will see the old “Bridgeport Senior High School” removed from the building and a new “Bridgeport High School” with arrowheads put in place. Ammons said the items have been ordered, but have not yet arrived.

 

MSES is designing the project. Their rendering is shown below.