Groundbreaking Ceremony Set for Joliet Central Student Center

Parents, students, staff and community members are invited to a groundbreaking ceremony for the Joliet Central High School Student Center addition at 4 p.m. June 9 at the main entrance of Joliet Central High School on Herkimer Street. 

“This space will greatly benefit our students,” Joliet Central High School Principal John Randich said in a press release. “Due to an enrollment of nearly 3,100 students, and with a fourth-floor cafeteria that only seats 350 students, lunch periods currently begin as early as 10:20 a.m. and end as late as 2:15 p.m.”  

The Student Center is designed to add functional and flexible space for student and community use. 

The $28 million capital building project includes a new cafeteria, kitchen, student bookstore, technology help desk counter, security entrance and several student collaboration spaces that will provide more service to students in a 21st Century learning environment. The project also includes a galleria connection that will be attached to the east side of school. Along with natural lighting elements, the galleria incorporates student lounge and collaboration space equipped with technology charging stations.

While the entire project is built to meet the needs of a 21st Century education, the historical integrity of the 112-year-old building will be preserved, according to Joliet Township High School District. Throughout the project, architectural elements of the existing building will be maintained, along with the school’s historical designation.

Completion of the addition is slated for the second semester of the 2015-2016 school year.

In February, the former St. John Lutheran Church building, known for years as Joliet Central's Little Theatre, was torn down to make way for the project.

• End of an Era for Joliet Central: Demolition Makes Way for Student Center
• Related: Joliet Central Plans for Student Center Addition