Bond projects at Andress High School to break ground this year

The El Paso School District is getting closer to breaking ground on numerous projects as a result of the $668.8 million voter-approved bond that was passed in 2016.

Andress High School will see a brand new fine arts facility, upgraded classrooms and a new field house for athletes.

According to EPISD, the bond was the result of a two-year assessment of facilities that began with a study of campuses and included a thorough review of needs from the Facilities Advisory Committee.

Andress prinicpal Joseph Manago said some projects have already been completed, like the turf on the football field and the track.

“Right now, we have lights going up in our baseball and softball fields,” said Manago.

The gym floor was also replaced and the school will have its first event this Friday.

Manago said the most exciting project is the fine arts facility that includes a 500 seat theater because events and concerts will no longer have to be held in the cafeteria or the gym.

The facility will hold dance, choir, orchestra and band rooms.

“Fine arts are a really important component of school,” Manago said.

The proposed field house will be located near the football field with a “state-of-the-art” weight room.

Katherine Elliot, a student, has been on the dance team for four years and is looking forward to the upcoming changes.

“It’s really exciting to see that we’re going to get a new fine arts building with a new dance room and a new locker room for us,” Elliot said.

Comstruction is set to begin this fall.