School’s oldest locker rooms undergo remodel
The locker rooms at the middle school, nearly 50 years after their construction, are in the process of being rebuilt from the bottom up.
June 19, 2018
The locker rooms located in the basement of the middle school building are being redone for the first time since they were built in 1970. Being the oldest locker rooms on campus and used for 48 years, administrators found a way to give the facility a much deserved remodel.
The Board of Education more than $530,000 for this new project. The redesign model is coming from a collaboration of the head coaches of all of the teams who currently use the locker rooms.
“As coaches we are very fortunate at West Essex to have administrators and leadership in our superintendent, Barbara Longo, and our athletic director, Mr. Minella, who have given the head coaches an opportunity to work with them on the layout,” said Jill Cosse, head coach of field hockey and lacrosse.
School officials said the redesign is not completely set, as they have different ideas flowing continuously. What they do know is that the 50 year old locker rooms were long overdue for a revamp and everyone is very excited to see the
final product.
The locker rooms at the middle school are currently getting a $500,000 face-lift.
“It is more of an open plan with upgraded shower and bathroom facilities, coaches offices and large lockers similar to a college or professional athlete’s locker,” athletic director Anthony Minella said. “It’s going to be awesome!”
These two locker rooms are used by the football and field hockey teams in the fall and the girls lacrosse and softball teams in the spring. They have bred many championship teams and many successful athletes, holding a lot of history.
“The locker rooms are going to be magnificent,” Coach Cosse said. “Alumni that come back will be super-proud that our facilities are being brought to the next level.” The students who will use these new locker rooms in their 2018- 2019 seasons said they can’t wait to see how they will turn out and are ready to make new memories with a brand new locker room.
“They’re going to be a lot nicer and more open and I’m excited to see everyones reaction to them,” said junior Ryan Rusignuolo, who plays football. The old locker rooms held a lot of memories and destroying them took the writing and all of the names on the walls with them, but the players said they will forever hold a special place in all of the teams’ hearts.
“I’m kind of sad about all of the memories leaving,” said sophomore Cameron Kinsella, who plays both field hockey and lacrosse. “But I’m excited to have a much cleaner locker room.”
