Construction of replacement wall for Thermond Center begins

After the partition wall dividing the cafeteria and the Thermond Center (formerly known as the Little Theater) was damaged by an unknown drama student, the administration has begun the process of constructing a new solid wall to replace it, which will take an estimated two weeks to finish completely.

The current partition wall had been slowly wearing down since it was first installed 18 years ago and since then has been repaired after being broken numerous times. After the most recent damage, the administration decided the wall needed to either be fixed once again or replaced due to the safety hazards it presented.

“Throughout the years, the drama kids have been pushing through the partition to get to the other side from the cafeteria,” maintenance worker Bob Delfino said. “It wasn’t being opened and closed the proper way.”

According to plant operations supervisor Brian Moran, the cost of installing a completely new wall is cheaper at around $10,000, compared to the $17,000 it would cost to renovate the current wall.

For this reason, the school has opted to install a permanent solid wall with a door rather than renovate the broken partition wall. The wall will be constructed of a steel frame, complete with insulation, dry wall, and an outer soundboard.

Along with the first door, there will also be a double door on the other side of the wall, which faces the parking lot. This bigger door will be used in case of emergencies to allow for easier escape.

The interior of the Thermond Center will remain untouched for the most part, and the sound box attached to the original wall will not be affected.