The $34 million renovation at the Erie County Technical School is nearly complete.

We've taken you inside the school as they have made renovations over the past few years since 2021, and now the remodel is nearly complete.

Matt LaVerde, the Director of the Erie County Technical School explained, "It's like a live learning environment at all times, to me, the favorite part has been to see that interaction where the students get to see the progress and how it takes time, but all of a sudden, man, it's done."

Students said they learned how to be flexible with the renovations over the last few years. Olivia Clemente, a current senior said, "We've had to move to a different classroom and then come back to a new classroom,  so a lot of change has gone on, so a lot of like adapting and learning how to still work in difficult circumstances."


Roman Crisswell, a fellow student agreed, there have been adjustments, but it come with rewards. "The new labs that are coming in, like sports therapy and the new extensions like the LGI it's like where people can come together."


Some of the areas with the most noticeable changes include the Metal Fabrication program, Drafting and Design, Sports Therapy, Cosmetology, Culinary and Early Childhood Education, and students have been enjoying their new facilities.


Tessa Bemiss, a current senior said, "Yeah, with the renovations being done, they have made our shop layout way more accessible and everything is in way better condition everything works, and it is more reliable, giving us a better outcome and experience."


John Porter works alongside Tessa Bemiss and in the Metal Fabrication Program and agrees the upgrades makes learning a lot easier.  "This year, we got all new welders, all new booths, the whole shop remodeled that helped out a lot and made everything a lot easier made everything a lot more successful, and easily credible so I can learn", explained Porter.


Some programs were new thanks to the renovation and students got to add their input into the design process. Marrissa Holland, a current senior said, "We got to create how our lab looked and when we came in last year for the first day, we got do it all."


There's close to 800 students enrolled with a wait list and longtime administrators hope these renovations lead more students to consider trade and skilled jobs.
Sandy Carr, the Supervisor of Instructional Support said, "The new programs that we have starting up next year, Sports Therapy is a new program, we're starting an Emergency Protective Services Program, we are expanding programs that have wait lists, so that's exciting that students are going to be able to take advantage of what we are offering."