Canyon High School passed a major landmark in its long-term modernization project this week as staff members began moving into the school's new administration building.

All administration offices should be relocated to the new 11,595-square-foot building by the time students return from winter break on Monday - the first time in many years that the administrative staff has been housed in a single location.

The previous administration building, which opened with the school in 1968, was designed for 1,600 students. Canyon, in recent years, has had as many as 2,900 students, and the growing administrative staff has been spread into as many as three buildings.

The new building will house the principal and his administrative assistant, assistant principals, counselors, nurse, clerical, registration and attendance staff.

The new building also includes a faculty lounge for staff and teacher use and a teacher work room. Several storage and work areas have already been pre-empted to house the school's counseling staff, which has expanded since the building was designed.

The other portions of the four-phase modernization program are continuing to move forward on schedule as well, according to Paul Rivas, director of facilities, modernization.

The new 42,000-square-foot, two-story science and classroom building is scheduled for occupancy during the early part of March and the new 5,200-square-foot food service building will be complete in late March.

The new administration west parking lot and student drop-off area began construction this past week and is scheduled for completion in April.

The final portion of the modernization work is the removal of 15 modular classrooms which are currently occupied by teachers who will move into the new classroom and science building, and the contractor's construction trailers located in the southwest quadrant of the campus.

Once those portable buildings are removed, the school's playing fields can be restored.

This final work should begin in April and be completed during June, wrapping up a major modernization project that will have taken almost four years by the time construction is finally completed.

The modernization project, funded primarily through Measure V school construction bonds approved by local voters in 2001, includes a new food service building with kitchen and student serving area, a student restroom building, administrative and counseling building and a two-story classroom building with science and regular classrooms.

A new Associated Student Body government building includes a classroom, office for classified clerical and student reception area.

In addition, all existing classrooms on campus have been modernized, including new floor finishes, paint, cabinetry, teaching walls, lighting and electrical upgrades.

All student and faculty restrooms have been modernized and the fire detection and alarm systems replaced. New landscaping and walkways have been installed in select areas of the campus, designed to provide access for disabled students and staff.

The gymnasium and library have been fully renovated, an all-weather track and football field installed, and stadium facilities upgraded.