New Eugene Field cafeteria nearly complete

TONY BROWN/DAILY FORUM
The nearly completed commons area and cafeteria at Eugene Field Elementary School is shown here, along, in an alternate image posted with this story, the current cafeteria that is scheduled to serve its final meals on March 23.

Under construction for months, a new commons area/cafeteria, kitchen, and faculty lounge are nearly complete at Eugene Field Elementary School, located at 418 E. Second St. in Maryville.

With a capacity of 250 people, the new commons will seat nearly twice as many students as the current facility.

Assistant Superintendent Steve Klotz said Monday the school will continue serving lunch in five shifts, at least at first, but that the shifts will overlap, meaning students will eat from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. instead of 10:40 a.m. until 1:15 p.m., as is now the case.

Klotz said Maryville R-II officials are scheduled to review the cafeteria’s construction “punch list” with the contractor this week, and that the district has obtained a certificate of occupancy allowing it to operate.

Students are scheduled to use the facility for the first time on Tuesday, March 29, the first day of classes following spring break, which begins March 24, the Thursday before Easter weekend.

The new commons was constructed at a cost of $1.8 million and financed using part of the proceeds from a $10.25 million voter-approved bond issue that is also paying for a new performing arts center at Maryville High School.

The Maryville R-II Board of Education is scheduled to tour the commons at 5 p.m. Wednesday prior to its regularly scheduled monthly session, which will follow at 6 p.m. in the district’s central office adjoining the MHS campus.

The current cafeteria at Eugene Field Elementary School is shown here, along, in an alternate image posted with this story, the new cafeteria/commons area scheduled to open Tuesday, March 29, the first school day after spring break.