Canyon View Elementary ready for students

KENNEWICK -- Steven Seiner walked through the doors of the newly renovated Canyon View Elementary School in Kennewick on Thursday and proclaimed it to be "awesome."

The 10-year-old, who will be a fourth-grader at the school this fall, used the same adjective a few minutes later as he peered through a window to the library -- and that time he also pumped his arms in the air.

Steven and other Canyon View students have been waiting for months to see what their school would look like after an extensive remodel. They got their chance Thursday during a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house.

"Welcome to our brand-new building!" Principal Mark Stephens said. "We're the first of many remodels that are about to begin in the district. I'm very proud that we're the first."

Construction on the $7 million renovation started last summer. The school got new electrical wiring, plumbing, heating and ventilation, along with larger classrooms and a new gym with a wooden floor. The old gym has been turned into a cafeteria and multipurpose room.

The school also got a new entrance with towering blue pylons and a large sign bearing Canyon View's name.

The school was built 30-plus years ago and is the first of several aging Kennewick elementaries to be renovated, thanks to a $68 million voter-approved bond in 2009. The bond also covered construction of the new Cottonwood Elementary, which opens in Badger Canyon this fall.

Students, parents and teachers walked through Canyon View on Thursday, peeking into classrooms, walking on the new gym floor and running their hands over tables and books in the library.

Norma Chilson, a first-grade teacher, has been at the school since it first opened. The remodel "is beautiful," she said, adding that she's excited to be part of another opening day at Canyon View.

While construction was going on last year, the school met in a district facility downtown known as the Fruitland Building. That building also will serve as swing space during the other elementary renovations.

The Canyon View remodel was a green effort. Builders recycled more than 1.3 tons of material, including concrete and steel, the district said. Even the bike rack was fashioned from part of the old sprinkler system.

Thursday's ribbon-cutting was attended by about 50 people, including city and school district officials.

Lori Mattson, president and CEO of the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce, said the construction wasn't just good for the district -- projects like the Canyon View remodel also help stimulate the economy by providing jobs.

Kennewick Mayor Steve Young said he was excited to see the new space. "As the principal said, this is just the beginning," Young said.

The next school in line for a face-lift is Southgate Elementary. It is scheduled to be done next summer.

-- Sara Schilling: 582-1402; sschilling@tricityherald.com