We found that people have a lot of investment in this building, and it’s history, and it’s story,” McBride said. “We really started exploring renovation because it’s more cost effective. “We’ve been really happy with the outcome.” “It was an opportunity for him to see the space and give his staff an opportunity to think about some ideas that other schools have done and have incorporated,” Sorensen said. Ken Sorensen, associate principal for operations and technology at Downers Grove North, showed McBride how the district built a gym, science labs and culinary labs and addressed accessibility and safety issues. McBride said he and district officials also toured other schools that renovated older buildings, such as Downers Grove North High School, built in the 1920s. The committee and district officials also agreed renovation would be cheaper than building, which is estimated to cost between $165 million to $200 million, McBride said. “They came to the conclusion that there is so much space in this building that could be used differently, more efficiently, that it would make sense to do a more major renovation beyond the cost of just all the electric, heating and cooling,” McBride said.

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