Video: Demolition Of Thompson Middle School East Wing

ST. CHARLES, IL – The demolition of the east wing at Thompson Middle School got underway this past week. The school, at 705 W. Main Street in St. Charles, will get 31 new classrooms, a new auxiliary gym, a new track and field, 11 new science labs and an expanded cafeteria as part of a nearly $47 million District project that includes closing Haines Middle School by 2019-20 and updating Thompson and Wredling to make room for more middle schoolers, the Daily Herald reports. In a Facebook live video posted to the school district's page Thursday, Carol Smith, director of communications for the school district, said the demolition was entering its last phase and that the east wing should be leveled by Friday.

Meanwhile, construction on an addition to the west wing of the school has been ongoing since last year, according to the Daily Herald. The renovation will also include a more secure entrance, updated air conditioning and a new cafeteria, which has floor-to-ceiling windows and a courtyard where students can eat outside.

As for the east wing demolition, there will be no new building to take its place.

"We will be putting in the parent drop off lanes in the front of the school so there will not be another structure going up where this one is now," Smith said.

The new pick-up and drop-off lanes are meant to alleviate congestion on neighborhood streets in the area and improve traffic flow, Smith told the Daily Herald. Buses would gather in the back of the building.

Photo via St Charles District 303 Facebook page