Hanby Middle School finishes renovation of 1910 building

Jan. 9—If only students from the early 20th century could see the new Hanby Middle School.

The school, located at 806 Sixth Ave., Gold Hill, recently completed a $3.5 million renovation, giving students, faculty and staff something to look forward to as they returned from winter break this month.

Boards still cover some places where new windows will go, and some notable spots still need a fresh coat of paint, but for all intents and purposes, the Hanby renovation is the latest project to be completed under Central Point School District 6's 2019 school district bond.

"The joy the kids have of getting to own this space, it's priceless. It's worth more than I can talk about," said Hanby Middle School Principal Lee Shupe Monday as students thunderously strode up the steps to the building's third floor, which houses new classrooms.

Hanby Middle School is named after longtime teacher A.J. Hanby. Constructed after voters approved a bond in 1909, the facility was originally Gold Hill High School and graduated its first class — one girl — in 1910. Gold Hill High School was School District 57's only high school until 1955, when it merged with District 6. That year, the school was renamed Hanby Junior High. In 1991, it became Hanby Middle School.

The long history is something Walt Davenport, superintendent of Central Point School District 6 believes sets Hanby apart from the other schools in his district.

"There's been generations of families that have gone through this particular building and are still in our area, so I think there's a deep admiration and love for this building," Davenport said. "Investing in it honors the history the building has had."

He noted Hanby's original architect, Raymond Hockenberry, was also the one who designed Crater Lake Lodge.

Like most historical buildings, Hanby sees its share of wear and tear. That is one of the reasons it received upgrades in 2003, the last time voters approved a bond for Central Point schools. That year, Hanby received a new wing, called the "2003 building," according to Spencer Davenport, the district's chief projects officer, who is also the brother of the District 6 superintendent.

In 2019, Central Point voters approved another bond, for $82 million. Projects include district safety and security improvements, a new parking lot and building for Scenic Middle School a Crater High School gym remodel and a new school, Rogue Primary.

The bond did not initially include the 1910 Hanby building remodel until the district decided to use a combination of bond funding, federal pandemic relief funds and a state-funded seismic rehabilitation grant to accomplish that project.

"This project really is a testament of the utilization of federal dollars, state dollars and local support from the voters here in Gold Hill, Central Point and Sams Valley," Spencer Davenport said. "Without all those different funding sources, we wouldn't have been able to accomplish what we've done."

The first floor, which houses a dual immersion class, lockers and a La Clinica clinic, probably received the fewest renovations. These include a dividing wall and a fresh coat of paint.

The second floor was reconfigured, placing the main office near the front of the building and a new vestibule, adding for stronger security. The area where the front office used to be is now a media center.

The third floor, which was used for storage, includes four new classrooms and one office. Hanby teacher Claire Van Der Zwan, who began teaching at the middle school in 2000, is pleased with the new space.

"It's awesome," she said. "We just finally have enough room for our student body."

Van Der Zwan credited Hanby students for being "troopers" during the renovation, noting it meant not having lockers.

On that note, Hanby sixth-grader Jaxon Neuenschwander said it is great that the remodel includes "nice new lockers."

His fellow sixth grader Molly Thomas complimented the new classrooms on third floor as being "bigger and nicer."

Eighth graders Tia Buchanan and Lena Casebeer applaud the remodel. Buchanan believes the space is more open and the floor plan not as confusing.

"Walking in, you can just see where everything is," Buchanan said.

Casebeer wasn't expecting the remodeled 1910 building to be as different as it is.

"I like this a lot more than the old building," she said. "It's also a lot safer now because if we were to have an earthquake, it wouldn't come falling to the ground."

The students agreed the camaraderie between them is different now that the remodel finished.

"The vibe's a bit more happy," Buchanan said.

Casebeer added, "everyone's happy because we're a little more spread out and not just shoved into the building over there."

Central Point School District plans to host an open house for Hanby families and the Gold Hill community 6-8 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 19, at the middle school.

Reach reporter Kevin Opsahl at 541-776-4476 or kopsahl@rosebudmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @KevJourno.