Hoquiam resident and Lincoln Elementary School fifth grader Harley Quimbey bounds backward as she directs a tour group of community members around the newly renovated school building. She weaves around trash cans (most of the time) and other tour groups, as she points out some of the major changes to the building that has been under construction since October 2020.

The improved intercom system, updated playground, and new work rooms are some of the flashier additions highlighted on the tour. Harley is a part of a group of students who conducted tours during the reopening ceremony of Lincoln Elementary School on Thursday, Feb. 17.

Since ground broke on the renovation project, Lincoln Elementary School students have been located at the Hoquiam High School humanities building. When renovations were completed in December 2021, staff worked quickly to move into the new building to spend the second half of the school year in the new space.

“It’s a testament of the community coming together,” said Hoquiam School District Superintendent Mike Villarreal. “It’s taxpayers’ blood, sweat, and tears of investment in their schools.”

Altogether, the project cost about $9.6 million — $2.5 million of which came from Hoquiam School District taxpayers. The state matched the 2018 construction bond measure with $6.3 million in funds, which were then rounded out by about $800,000 from the general levy fund.

The “investment” has touched every wing of the building. The new vestibule funnels guests into the only exterior entrance accessible during the school day. While the public can enter the vestibule, they must then sign in to access the rest of the school. Other security measures include a new intercom system, which will alert the school in the event of an emergency and will lock all classroom doors in the event of a lockdown.

Aesthetic changes include the removal of lowered ceiling tiles, paint stripes on the original wood walls, and widened hallways that have allowed for the addition of single-use and ADA accessible bathrooms.

“The goal was to bring the building into the 21st century, and to provide environmental upgrades to the safety system, the fire system, and egress points,” said KMB President and project architect James Hill. “We also wanted to make it fresh, brighten it up to have it be a fun learning environment.”

According to Andrew Christensen, President of Construction Inc., the team faced unforeseen challenges during the building process as a result of material shortages and changing health and safety protocols on-site. Despite the complications, students were able to move in just one semester later than originally planned.

New infrastructure systems should reduce the building’s required maintenance, and exposed ductwork makes technological adaptability easier. Improved Wi-Fi and prolific “green” outlets are some of the updates to make the building compatible with modern-day instruction mediums.

Each hallway is also outfitted with a curriculum room/workroom, as well as a classroom that functions as a conference room.

“These conference rooms will be used for trainings and meetings, but can also be converted into classrooms should enrollment increase and the need arise,” said Villerreal.

While Lincoln Elementary School is preparing for its future, it has not forgotten to pay homage to its past. Thursday’s festivities included an appearance from former Lincoln Elementary School Principal Larry Jones, who attended the original opening of the building on Oct. 1, 1968.

“They’ve done a beautiful job,” he said. “Some things have certainly changed, but by and large, I think they’ve done a great job.”

After the student-lead tours concluded, the building was officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Several members of the Hoquiam School Board were in attendance, including former Lincoln Elementary School student Chris Eide, who had the honor of cutting the ribbon himself.

Not all plans for the new building came to fruition, but according to Hill and Christensen, the building is prepared for potential changes should the sufficient funding come in.

“We believe we’ve invested wisely in our future, and we look forward to working on other projects,” said Villarreal.