THUNDER BAY – Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute’s facelift is just about complete.
Students returned to class on Wednesday at the south-side school and took full advantage of the addition, including a 14,000 square-foot cafetorium and a brand new weight and exercise room that boosts the physical education program and should help Tigers athletics realize even better results moving forward.
Connor Neill, a 16-year-old Grade 11 student, said he was in the school a week or so ago and construction was still in full swing.
It was nice to return to Westgate this week and find all but the finishing touches in place.
“Finally seeing it cleaned up is a big refresher for us, because half the school was torn down last year. Getting to have this brand new hallway to walk through too is super awesome, because it was super crowded last year,” Neill said.
He said he loves the new look Westgate, especially the cafetorium.
“It’s a lot bigger for everyone to come here. I’m on my spare right now, I don’t have class, so I can come here and do homework or watch other kids – the drama class is performing right now,” he said.
Principal Coral Szyszka said is an exciting new future for Westgate and its students and staff.
“I don’t think it’s overstating it to say (the renovations) are game-changers for this school,” she said. “I think the entire space, it’s brighter, it’s cleaner, it’s more spacious and it’s also safer.
“And then from a co-curricular and a curricular standpoint, the enhancements are going to improve programming and learning experiences for kids for years and years to come.”
Szyszka said the arts department will see the biggest benefits, from a programming perspective.
“We’re talking about the addition of a multi-million dollar cafetorium. It’s an auditorium, performance, professional-grade stage,” she said. “We’ll have state-of-the-art sound, state-of-the-art lights, curtains, all that kinds of stuff.
“That’s going to be great for performances and large events. With respect to athletics, the fitness room and the upgrades in that area are again, state-of-the-art.”
David Wright, superintendent of business at Lakehead Public Schools, said it’s a great day for students at Westgate.
He said the two-year construction project is nearing completion and it’s exciting to see how students are going to use the space.
“As you can see, on the off hours they’re already in here studying and using the space appropriately.”
The cafetorium was modeled in large part off a similar space at the 10-year-old Superior Collegiate and Vocational Institute.
