2 Decades Later, 'Temporary' Enfield Classrooms Torn Down [VIDEO]

ENFIELD, CT — At the beginning of the 1999-2000 school year, overcrowding at John F. Kennedy Middle School led to the addition of three modular classrooms, stationed just outside the Red House wing. This "temporary solution" wound up lasting more than two decades, with mainly Spanish and French classes taught inside the additional space.

With an $84 million "renovate-to-new" reconstruction process well underway, those modular rooms have finally been reduced to rubble, as the three connected structures were leveled beginning Wednesday morning.

Kennedy was built in 1969, and a new media center was added 30 years later. The current reconstruction, approved at referendum in Nov. 2018, will result in a completely new look for the facility.

The old cafeteria, in what was known as the Orange wing, will become the new main entry, housing the main administrative offices and self-contained special education classrooms. The former pool area will become the new cafeteria and kitchen, and the former auditorium is being transformed into new tech ed spaces – including robotics labs, material testing labs and design and modeling labs.

The three 2-story classroom wings, known as Red, White and Blue houses, are being overhauled and will house four teams of students, with two per floor and one grade per wing.

The anticipated completion date is Aug. 2022. Building committee chairman Randy Daigle said Wednesday the project is currently a bit ahead of schedule and below budget.

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