As school starts up again, the construction on campus continues to move forward, impacting students on campus and providing a glimpse into the future of KO.
The Community Commons, which will contain a student center, cafeteria, and library with quiet and group study spaces, is set to be completed by the start of the 2025-2026 school year. Due to the construction, the previous library and dining hall have been closed down. While the benefits of this project are evident, it has also provided challenges for both faculty and students to navigate.
Director of Finance and Operations Colleen Woerlen detailed the process of developing, financing, and following through on this project. The project began with a group of faculty and staff focusing on the students’ need for a replacement to the previous structure. A point of emphasis in project planning was providing new outdoor spaces for students to work, collaborate, and socialize on days when the weather is nice. The building renderings emphasize this goal with a sweeping patio surrounding the building’s perimeter.
Another point of emphasis was creating spaces focused on the needs of school librarian Nancy Solomon. “I’m certainly excited for Ms. Solomon,” Dean of Students Kata Baker said. “She will have a classroom in the back where, if a student is working on a research project, she can meet with them there.” This extends the emphasis on providing a variety of working spaces. According to Mrs. Baker, there will be large group spaces for normal conversation and larger groups to work, in addition to several smaller, more conference room-like spaces for groups to work quietly on group projects or individual work. The Commons will also be used for traditional KO events like the annual Club Fair and occasional form meetings.
While the future is bright with the Community Commons around the corner, a few obstacles have been caused by the construction, forcing faculty and students alike to adjust. One issue is the lack of student spaces while construction is going on. “I already felt like we don’t have enough student space,” Mrs. Baker said. “In the winter, outdoor space is not an option.” This has caused students to navigate a new landscape at KO, which Mrs. Baker believes students have done a great job at.
Another obstacle has been the shift of lunch from the dining hall into the Black Box Theater and Soby Gym. Both Mrs. Baker and Mrs. Woerlen detailed the challenging process of relocating the dining facilities at KO. Since the previous kitchen was housed in the demolished building, a new kitchen was necessary. While there were temporary plans to house the kitchen in a trailer, eventually a kitchen was created in the athletic offices in between Soby and the Black Box. Additionally, temporary air conditioners were installed prior to the start of the year due to high temperatures over the summer.
These changes have an immense impact on the outgoing senior class, as they will not have the opportunity to reap the benefits of this project, but are certainly affected by the changes. “The biggest thing is making sure the seniors have a sense that they were a part of it, even if they won’t be here for it,” Mrs. Baker said. She explained that the faculty are trying to make this fact clear, with a variety of ideas to help spread this sentiment.
While the construction of the Community Commons is certainly an unprecedented time in KO’s history, the positive future of the school is clear with the year in full swing.
