Seattle Public Schools is hosting a celebration for the new Nathan Hale High School Library, KNHC C-89.5 Radio Station and classroom, Fitness Center and Visual Art classrooms on Saturday, October 3rd, from 11:00 – 2:00 p. m. Students, teachers, parents, families, staff, and community members are invited to come celebrate this special event.

The Library and Radio Station addition and renovation is the first phase of an $84.8 million Nathan Hale modernization project, part of the Seattle Public Schools Building Excellence III (BEX III) bond construction program, approved by voters in 2007. This new building will give the school a 14,700 square foot addition and a 12,500 square foot renovation housing a new Library, new art classrooms, a new studio for the award-winning KNHC C89.5 FM, a new fitness center, and a new east-facing lobby that connects to the athletic fields.

The second phase, which began this summer, will involve approximately 191,000 square feet of major improvements to the academic core of the school, an expanded student commons, a new administration office, and replacement of all major building systems including mechanical, electrical, drainage, landscaping, and technology improvements. The project will be completed in the spring of 2011. The school will remain open and occupied during the modernization.

Festivities to celebrate the opening of the new Nathan Hale Library and Radio Station building will start with the Homecoming Football Game on October 2nd, 7:00 p.m., between Nathan Hale and Chief Sealth High School at the Raider Field.

On October 3rd, the community is invited to tour the new Library, Radio Station, Fitness Center and visual art classrooms starting at 11:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. The "old" Nathan Hale building will also be open to tour for those that wish to have a "last look" before the major renovations of the buildings begin. A special C89.5 radio station alumni reunion will also be held on October 3rd in the new Radio Station Studio, at 10:00 a.m. along with a Current and Former Staff Reception in the new Library, also at 10:00 a.m.