The Tippecanoe Valley School Corp. celebrated the near-completion of its Tippecanoe Valley High School construction and renovation project with a public open house on Sunday, Oct. 27. Here people check out the stage of the new TVHS auditorium.

Text and Photos
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

AKRON — After about a year and a half of work, the Tippecanoe Valley High School construction project is nearly complete.

Tippecanoe Valley School Corp. celebrated that with a public open house on Sunday, Oct. 27.

People could tour the renovated pool, new agriculture area, new locker rooms, new auditorium and other parts of the project.

Work on the project began in spring 2023, with 44,908 square feet added and 37,222 existing square footage renovated.

The project cost approximately $31 million, with that financed by bonds, said TVSC Superintendent Blaine Conley.

He noted the project wasn’t only for students but also “the community.”

“(Several) years ago, (we) had open meetings with the community (regarding the project and getting feedback),” said Conley. “We’re just really proud of how this is going to positively affect our community.”

He said he was happy the project was almost done.

“Talking to people today who were in the first graduating class here … and then walking the facility and just seeing how things have evolved and just how enthusiastic they are about what our students here at Valley are going to be able to experience is really rewarding,” said Conley.

He noted the corporation is planning for a new administration building combined with a day care facility.

“We hope that goes out to bid in January, and we’d love to be able to break ground in the end of spring on that project to be able to address the needs that we have with child care in our community,” said Conley.

The first public event to occur in the auditorium will be the Valley’s Got Talent Show at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7. The public is welcome to come and bring $1 bills to vote for their favorite acts.

TVHS Principal Brandon Kresca said he was also happy to have the project almost done.

“It’s just so exciting to see the unveiling here and see people excited about it,” he said. “We have students who are tour guides, and I had the luxury of walking them through it and just seeing how excited they were.”

“It’s just so rewarding at this point that we get these beautiful new spaces,” said Kresca. “I think it just expands so many programs, gives so many more opportunities for students, helps them to just perform better overall, raising the expectations that we have for our programs. I just think our students are going to thrive with these new spaces.”

“I’m so thankful our school board and our superintendent are investing back in our talented students and our community,” he said.