GROUND BROKEN FOR LISBON HIGH SCHOOL GYMNASIUM

 

Photo Caption:  Lisbon School Committee Chairperson, Traci Austin, (fourth from left) had the honor of the ceremonial breaking ground for the new Lisbon High School Gymnasium on Saturday, January 3.  Austin was the catalyst in bringing together members of the community and school administrators to move forward with construction plans.  Joining Austin, pictured left to right / front row:  Lisbon Superintendent of Schools, Richard Green; Diane Barnes, Lisbon Town Manager; Kathi Yergin, Assistant School Committee Chairperson; Austin, Marcey Crosskill, former School Committee member; Heather Wilmot, Assistant Superintendent of Lisbon Schools.  Back row:  Pete Reed, School Committee member; Denis Landry, Landry/French, Contractor; Eric Dube, Casco Bay, Engineer; George Caron, School Committee member; Ryan Kanteres, Scott Simmons, Architect; Nathanial Cram, Scott Simmons, Architect; and Dillon Pesce, Lisbon Town Council. 

 

Lisbon – The first Saturday of the new year was celebrated in the town of Lisbon as history was being made on the campus of Lisbon High School, 2 Sugg Drive in Lisbon Falls.  Superintendent Richard Green welcomed guests for a ceremony commemorating the official ground breaking for the new school gymnasium.  Green acknowledged members of the Lisbon School Committee members Traci Austin, Kathi Yergin, George Caron, Pete Reed, Gina Mason, and former member Marcey Crosskill, for their support in providing the guidance and direction bringing the construction to fruition.  “Over the last thirteen years, I have been part of many conversations and served on several committees to discuss the need for a new gymnasium,” shares Green.  “I believe the most important conversations occurred during a “Future Search” where over 80 members of the community volunteered to be part of a weekend two-day workshop to help create a Strategic Educational Plan that would guide us through the next several years.  It was during these discussions that a list of “prouds” and “sorries” was created.  It became clear the facilities, specifically the need for a new gymnasium was the biggest concern/sorry.”   

 

Green thanked  and recognized the commitment citizens made to the School Department supporting the District’s goal to provide the residents and tax payers in Lisbon/Lisbon Falls a good return on their investments.  The Superintendent also thanked the current and past members of the Facilities Committee, Tim Carville, Don Fellows, Richard Main, Fern Larochelle and Dean Willey for their countless hours of time and dedication.  Members of the Town Council, Finance Committee, were recognized for this collaboration of support throughout the planning process.   Green introduced David Lewis, the Owners Representative, Ryan Kanteres and Nathaniel Cram from Scott Simons Architects, Eric Dube from Casco Bay Engineering, Denis Landry, owner of Landry/French Construction, Ryan Landry, Assistant Project Manager, and Scott Christing, Project Supervisor.  Assistant Superintendent Heather Wilmot, Cathy Messmer, Lisbon’s Business Manager, and Darrell Orr, Facilities and Transportation Director were acknowledged for their efforts behind the scenes moving the process forward with support from the administrative team and Central Office staff. 

 

“What seemed like an impossible dream in Lisbon became a reality today,” commented Green.  “Today marks a proud day in the history for the citizens of Lisbon and for generations of students.” 

 

FMI on future developments, school program, partnerships in education and volunteer opportunities within the Lisbon School District visit Community Resource News in Lisbon Schools on FaceBook, visit www.lisbonschoolsme.org or email mmillhime@lisbonschoolsme.org.