High-tech Cafeteria to Debut in Nov.

For the hot lunch-deprived students at Winter Haven High School, the nightmare on Sixth Street is almost over. Students will soon be able to swap their bag lunches for trays of hot food with the completion of the new cafeteria.

Expected to be completed by the end of October, the cafeteria will be inspected by district officials who must approve the building, a process that may take up to two weeks. Students and faculty will begin dining in the new cafeteria sometime in November.

According to Principal Mike Tucker, the 19,500-square-foot building is most definitely a "state of the art" masterpiece. With 55 tables inside holding 10 people per table, the new cafeteria can hold a maximum of 500 to 600 people.

Unlike older cafeterias, wireless Internet will be available in the senior section, an area designated for students graduating in the current school year.

Restrooms will also be located inside for quick access.

Not only will the lunchroom be used for eating, it will also be used by the faculty for multipurpose reasons such as meetings and social functions. A drop-down screen will be available for use in meetings.

"The total cost of the construction for the new cafeteria was $4 million," Tucker said.

Although students will have the choice of eating inside the cafeteria, they also will have the opportunity to enjoy the fresh air while eating outside under a covered patio.

Tables will be placed on the covered patio area where 200 students can consume their meals. Covered walk areas and a grass area outside are being designed to enhance the beauty of the new building.

"I'm excited about working in the new cafeteria," said cafeteria manager Jackie Johnson. "Although I have to hire about eight new staff, I look forward to the new environment of the new cafeteria, air conditioning and more space."

There will be four different a la carte lines such as pizza, soup, salad, and sandwich bars. Two regular hot lunch lines also will be available to students.

The opening of the cafeteria will mean a change in the bell schedule. While students are currently released from school at 1:44 p.m., when the cafeteria reopens, students will be released at 2:18 p.m. to accommodate the added lunch period.

"We will only have two lunches this year," Tucker said. "Due to certain third period classes, we will not have split lunches as we have had before."

Although it will mean leaving school a little later in the day, the cafeteria's debut cannot come too soon for hungry students and faculty.