MACON, Ga. — Construction workers are putting the finishing touches on Northeast High School's 15-month renovation, but Athletic Director Kevin Grooms is ready to move in.
"In 19 years of education, I've never been a part of a new construction so I'm definitely excited about that," Grooms said.
Sam Kitchens with the Bibb County School District says the $54 million project is part of a 5-year ESPLOST plan.
"We're using some of the historic buildings that were here before that we've retained and then mostly new constructions," Kitchens said. "New auditorium, we have three science labs, computer labs, media center -- right around 170,000 square feet of new building space."
Sheridan Construction's Senior Project Manager Hal Brown says it's a huge job.
"It has been a very tight schedule and with the challenge of the rain we've had, this past winter, everybody knows how wet of a winter it was, so that was something we had to work through," Brown said.
Despite the challenges, they are finally nearing the finish line, just in time for the students to return from summer break.
"That auditorium is fabulous, the cafeteria is off the chain," Grooms said.
Kitchens says the facility will be open on August 1.
"When they walk in and to see the things that have been done and have been created for our community here at Northeast, they're gonna love it, they're gonna love it," Grooms said.
The project also includes the new Appling Middle School that will also be on the site.
They have already started construction and school leaders expect it to be open by August 2020.
The Northeast community invites the public to see the new changes on Saturday August 3, for their annual Raiderfest event at the high school.