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De la porte gym a work in progress
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Ceres Unified School District Assistant Superintendent Scott Siegel wouldn't make any promises.

"The plan is to have that building occupiable by Nov. 1," he said.

Menghetti Construction, which is based out of Modesto, broke ground on the Phil de la Porte Gymnasium modernization project on June 1.

The to-do list includes adding air conditioning, new bleachers, lighting and ceiling material, and upgraded electrical. The floors will be resurfaced. The snack bar and restrooms will also be revamped.

"The bleachers arrived on Monday," Siegel said. "That puts us in pretty good shape."

To accommodate modernization, Ceres High's volleyball program moved all of its practices and home games to Central Valley High School.

"We had a season of inconvenience for something that will last a lifetime," Siegel said.

Asked if Ceres High's boys and girls basketball teams would be displaced, Siegel said: "At this point, the answer is no."

The 2005-06 basketball season starts in December.

The Phil de la Porte Gymnasium, auditorium and student cafeteria are being refurbished for $4 million.

The modernization of the auditorium includes installing an acoustical wall surface, new stage lighting and a new sound system.

The cafeteria is receiving a major face lift. It will feature new cafe style food service areas, a new sound system, a new floor and round tables that are more suitable for secondary students. - By DALE BUTLER /Staff reporter of the Ceres (Calif.) Courier