Autumn is in the air, and with the change of seasons comes the conclusion of this summer’s portion of the major renovation of Mount Carmel’s historic main building.

The project began three years ago, when the exterior brick walls of the 1924 building were power-washed  and tuck-pointed.  This  preliminary work was followed by the installation of energy efficient windows in the summer of 2014, which in turn led to a new boiler, completely revamped electrical systems, and new water pipes during the following two years.

With that infrastructure work completed, this past summer the third floor was completely gutted and rebuilt, two classrooms and a washroom were reconfigured, and new lockers were installed.

The final stages of preparing the 3rd floor for occupation in October are now underway, as classrooms receive their final coat of paint, hardwood floors are sanded and refinished, and cutting edge technology  is installed in each of the renovated classrooms.

Last school year, a prototype “smart room” was constructed in Room 104, giving faculty an opportunity to test new systems and furnishings and select those that seem best suited to their curriculum.  That research drove the final decisions on how to equip the third floor classrooms.

As a result, every room on the third floor will feature writable surfaces on three walls (as opposed to chalkboards or white boards), a smart screen television, and a projector, as well as movable furniture (rather than desks).  The two reconfigured classrooms will provide flexibility for collaborative group activities or for co-curricular experiences.

Although the renovation of the third floor is nearly complete, the entire project is far from finished.  The next two summers will be dedicated to similar renovations of the second and third floor, as well as the installation of an elevator, which will be located across the hall from room 301.

Mr. John Byrne, Mount Carmel Vice President of Operations, is excited to be leading the project to  “completely modernize the building.”

He expressed confidence that the renovated building will offer a “cleaner, safer, environment” and “better technology” for the next generation of Carmel men.