By Sue Kiesewetter
Enquirer contributor

HAMILTON - Construction of a 5,000-square-foot addition that would add weight-training and music rooms to Stephen T. Badin High School could begin in October.

The expansion would be the final phase in an improvement project that began more than two years ago. It is the first time the school was expanded since it was built in 1966.

"We're ready to move forward with this. We think it's something very important for the school," said principal Frank Margello.

"It will give the music program their own practice and classroom facility and provide our athletic program with a greatly needed upgrade for their weight-training needs."

Money for the project is coming from a capital improvement drive that has netted the school about $2.2 million in pledges and contributions, said Dirk Allen, school spokesman.

About half of those dollars have paid to replace steps in the front and back of the school, along with replacing existing science rooms with four, state-of-the art labs with new lighting, tables and equipment.

The campaign also paid to add a computer lab to the refurbished media center, as well as making improvements to the chapel and gymnasium.

Other projects to be finished this summer include:

• Reconfiguring and adding parking at Badin to replace parking that will be lost by the expansion.

• Refurbishing of William Mulcahey Gymnasium, including repainting of the floor.

• Installing theater quality seats in the Little Theater, paid for through proceeds of an April auction.

• Moving counselors and tutors from outdoor modular classrooms to inside the school.

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E-mail suek@infionline.net