CLSD breaks ground on high school additions and stadium renovations

Cornwall-Lebanon School District held groundbreaking ceremonies on Monday, May 12, for two portions of phase 2 of its campus construction and renovations project.

Two ceremonies were held: one near the John W. Davis Natatorium, and one by the school’s football stadium. This was, according to CLSD communications coordinator Amy Wissinger, due to different teams of contractors involved in the projects.

The first groundbreaking site was at the location of a future 8,306-square-foot addition to Cedar Crest High School, one of three planned additions to the back of the school primarily to be used for classrooms. The other additions will be 2,254 and 2,116 square feet.

While Lebanon County is no longer the fastest growing county in the state, it continues to grow in population each year. With major housing developments in the works for some of CLSD’s municipalities, the district anticipates the continued increase of students from year to year.

Read More: Lebanon County’s population growth rate declined over the last few years

“We continue to think about how we’re going to serve our community by making sure that we provide the best learning and teaching environment for our students and staff members,” said superintendent Dr. Philip Domencic.

Administrators, contractors, and members of the design team posed for a photo ceremonially digging up the first dirt at the construction site. Now, 11 contractors will begin work on the planned renovations.

Fidevia principal Dan Cicala, who worked on design for the project, said the plan was ironed out over a year by design professionals and school administrators that came together “with the singular focus to create the best possible high school for the students in this community, their families, and the staff and the community at large that call call Cedar Crest home.”

After that, those gathered walked to the stadium, where another line of shovels was set up for administrators, contractors, and others.

Right now, the stadium contains two small concession stands and a separate restroom, which will be replaced by a larger concession area and restroom facilities.

The project, Domencic said, will also include improvements to lighting and sound, and an expansion/replacement of bleachers, including ADA-related improvements. Some of the existing bleachers, Domencic said, date back to the original construction in 1964.

He said this portion of renovations is expected to conclude August 2026.

However, other improvements to the school’s sports facilities are planned for phase 3, including more ADA-compliance and a javelin throwing lane. Additional parking is also planned, as well as a 10,500-square-foot addition to a building used for storage and occasional events.

Last year, the district broke ground on the Falcon Connector, a 33,000-square-foot connector between the high school and the middle school, for phase 1 of the project. This addition — expected completion early July — will include 22 “swing classrooms,” which will be used short-term while other renovations are underway.

Read More: Cornwall-Lebanon School District holds groundbreaking for Falcon Connector

Another planned improvement is a 706-square-foot addition near the entrance to the school, as well as an ADA-compliant ramp.

Phase 3 will include improvements to the middle school, including an additional access drive. The plan also includes stormwater improvements to accommodate for the additional impervious area.