Lexington-Richland School District Five held it’s groundbreaking ceremony for the new wing at Irmo High School on Tuesday, June 30.
Dr. Karen Hampton, Irmo High School Principal, presided over the gathering of school board members, local town council, Lex/Rich 5 administration and building contractors. “We’ve included our students since the beginning to help with what they wanted,” said Dr. Hampton. “Some of those spaces have come to fruition.”
The 123,000 sq. ft. three story addition has 60+ classrooms, huge library, numerous media rooms and science labs and a price tag of more than $60 million with the cafeteria included.
Superintendent Dr. Akil Ross said that construction on the new 40,000 sq. ft. cafeteria is currently in progress and will hold 700 students at lunch time and can serve as a flex space at other times. The expansion was approved by the school board in January at a cost of $17.6 million.
Dr. Ross pointed out the cornerstone of the new wing with a quote from Tim Whipple, the second winningest coach in South Carolina’s history. “We’re honoring, Coach Tim Whipple, who said to his team 44 years ago that we were laying a foundation,” said Ross. “This is the same tradition that has continued at Irmo High School for 90 years.”
