After a challenging year marked by a ceiling collapse that forced the closure of Lockport High School’s Central Campus, the school has reopened just in time for the new academic year. Freshmen returned to the historic 115-year-old building this week, thanks to the dedication of our partners, DLA Architects, school leaders and the many hardworking tradespeople onsite.

The incident, which occurred last fall, necessitated immediate action to ensure the safety of students and staff. Over the past eight months, Berglund Construction spearheaded an extensive $5 million to $6 million project, focused on mitigating safety hazards and restoring the integrity of the building. The project involved the complete renovation of ceilings in 29 classrooms and three hallways, where outdated materials were replaced with modern drywall and lighting, and the structural framing was reinforced.

To celebrate the successful completion of the project, the school district held a community event on the school campus as a dedication to commemorate the restoration of the beloved building. Attendees heard remarks from Superintendent Robert McBride and Principal Kerri Green, as she expressed her excitement about welcoming students back to Central Campus. She highlighted the importance of the building’s rich history and its role in fostering a sense of community among freshmen from seven different feeder schools.

“Being a part of such an important restoration project for the Lockport community was truly an honor,” stated Fred Berglund, CEO of Berglund Construction. “These students, faculty and staff are deserving of a restored and refreshed educational facility and we are proud to deliver.”

Click below to view the school reopening captured by WJOL-TV.