BEND, OR -- Construction gets underway this summer on a major renovation of Bend Senior High. Principal Chris Reese says it’s the district’s oldest school, "Many of the areas of Bend High were constructed in 1955; classes began in 1956 in a lot of those areas. It’s served its purpose. But the building’s tired."

He tells KBND News, "Most of the facility, at some point, is going to be torn down and rebuilt. We’re keeping some of the iconic pieces, as well as some of the newer areas of the facility, like our CTE tech building is going to remain. It’s an amazing place for kids to weld and do automotive and graphic arts, engineering and construction." He adds, "We’re keeping the new Robert D. Maxwell Center, which is actually, if you want to consider it part of the Master Plan for this overall design. It was from a previous bond project. And we’re keeping the auditorium. But at some point, in Phase three, that will be a gut and remodel." Click HERE for the site plan.

Bend-La Pine Schools hosts a ceremonial groundbreaking Thursday  morning, "Not really ‘groundbreaking’ with ceremonial shovels, but we’ve got sledgehammers because we’re going to be tearing down portions. And they’re going to be doing the ‘summer sprint.’ They’re going to be taking down I hall, most of C hall and D hall this summer."

The project will take several phases over several years and should wrap up before the fall of 2028. It’s paid for by a 2022 bond measure.

KBND News will have more on the project and Thursday's start to demolition, coming up Friday morning.