Penns Valley Area High School is gearing up for a major renovation project that will add on about 25,000 sq. ft. on campus. 

But it wouldn’t be official without a groundbreaking ceremony.

Dustin Dalton, Principal at Penns Valley Area High School, said after a long planning phase it’s good to see the process actually begin.

Construction for the $15.5 million renovation and addition project is ready to go.

But for this high school Dalton said it really is groundbreaking  for future generations.

“There’s been some minor renovations in the building but the footprint itself really hasn’t changed a whole lot so this is going to be big,” Dalton said.

Superintendent Brian Griffith said the campus needs a facelift and some necessary updates.

The plan includes bringing in  new lockers, another gymnasium, a new band room, and re-vamping the school library.

“This means a lot for our students to bring this building into the 21st and 22nd century,” Griffith said.

Rather than stick with tradition, the new floor plan is designed for collaborative learning.

The cost is high, but it won’t come with tax increases.

The project is funded by a combination of saved up cash reserves and low interest loans.

“I think this is a, really a model for other districts to follow,” Griffith said.

Now Dalton said it’s just a matter of time.

“I’m hoping when the project is done that it meets everybody’s expectations. That’s kind of what we’re looking for,” Griffith said.

Construction officially kicks off on Wednesday starting in the library.

The entire project is expected to wrap up at the end of 2018.