The MMCRU high school recently began renovation on its facility, breaking ground in late May this year. The 20 million dollar construction has forced the faculty, staff, and students to acclimate to the new environment. One of the largest issues the school has had to adapt to is the fenced-off parking spaces. About half of the parking lot has been sectioned off for construction and equipment. The school has overcome this issue with the help of the Methodist church and the City of Marcus. The Methodist church opened its parking lot for the faculty and staff, and the City of Marcus has allowed parking on roads near the school that had not been allowed previously.
Another complication for MMCRU is the relocation of classrooms. While the South Hall is being renovated, students and teachers will use the classrooms and Sawyer Center located in the Methodist church. This change is expected to begin in the second semester of school, starting in January.
Presently, construction for the building has run relatively smoothly. The MMCRU Superintendent, Dan Barkel, stated, “The most difficult complication thus far has been the shortage of materials,” he then expands further, “Specifically, the shortage of structural steel has slowed down the project somewhat, and has forced a change in the schedule by our general contractor. But they are working through it, and feel that we won’t lose too much time.”
If the construction continues to operate on schedule, the 70-year-old MMCRU school building will be fully manufactured by the end of the 2024 school year.