Astronomy Dome and Floating Floor New at Naperville Central

On Aug. 24, a group of Naperville Central High School students took a tour of their newly renovated school, and it seems they were very impressed by what they saw.

The majority of the renovations to the math, science, communications, health and language areas are complete, but additional renovations will continue through December 2011. 

Russ Fletcher, the district's interim director of communications, took the students and local news media on the tour of the school. He pointed out some of the more interesting parts of the renovation, including a classroom designed with an "astronomy dome," in which students will study the planets with the use of a video projector.

There's also a gymnastics room that has a "floating floor," built with springs to absorb the shock from the gymnasts, and a new commons area equipped with a massive video screen.

Shaza Loutfi, 16, and Safa Dada, 17, both juniors, said they thought the gymnastics room on the second floor was incredible.  The pair also said the new cafeteria space will be a great place to sit and talk with friends. The new video screen looks interesting, too, they said.

"It's kind of fitting we have a new school in the new year," Loutfi said.  

Dada added: "I just can't believe this is our school."

The $87.7 million project had a slight hiccup over the summer when the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 went on strike and workers left the construction job in limbo. School District 203 was able to negotiate with the union to keep the project going and within budget, but it did require the district to start classes a week later than anticipated.