Bathroom renovations spark controversy around the school.
Story by Hung Gwan Lau
Staff Writer
Illustration by Shyla Drake
Staff Illustrator
Several summer renovations have occurred around campus, bringing noticeable changes to the schools most used spaces. One of the biggest changes is the bathroom update around the 500s buildings. These changes have sparked controversy among the student body.
The renovations have been a major improvement for some students.
Junior Harry Ward stated how these changes, in the bathroom for instance, were noticeable enough to where it feels completely different.
“It doesn’t feel minor, it feels like a whole new bathroom,” Ward said.
The installation most notable to some students is the new urinal spacers and dividers, which provide more separation and privacy compared to the previous setup.
“I think the urinal spacers [are the biggest improvement]. It’s a little bit cleaner.. It’s just better to go to this bathroom,” Ward said.
Junior David Ishaak also noticed the differences in the bathrooms. He noted how the updated floors, walls, and stalls are cleaner and are more modern spaces.
“I think the one thing that improved is the floor. [The] wall looks a lot more clean, and the stalls are better,” Ishaak said.
Other students have different views. While some changes were received well by the students, other changes were not taken as positively.
One feature that was removed has been a common complaint by students: the mirrors of the bathrooms. Prior to this year, both bathrooms had multiple, large mirrors.
“I think it’s a little bit cleaner, but I think they should have kept the mirrors,” Ishaak said.
Junior Max Mobely had a critical reception of the renovations.
Mobely strongly believes the changes have made the bathrooms much less convenient, despite agreeing with the fact that the bathrooms are cleaner.
“Cleanliness improved a ton, but other than that, there’s not enough space. And I also think about the mirrors, right? I need mirrors,” Mobely said.
Mobely critiqued the renovations for the lack of mirrors deeming it to be an unnecessary change to one of the most used applications in any bathroom. The common issue struck everyone differently, depending on how often they used the mirrors.
“Overall, I would have preferred just keeping it the same,” Mobely said.
The girls bathroom has received several controversial changes to its appearance as well. From removing the mirrors to painting over the murals, the new appearance has brought a fresh look and polarizing opinions.
One of the most noticeable changes has been the bathrooms’ appearance. According to juniors Karley Hevgold and Kaitlyn Bromley, the previous bathrooms had more artwork and creative shine.
Students say the previous bathrooms included colorful designs, including rainbows, paintings, and inspirational messages put all over the walls. Bromley added how lively the old artwork had made the bathroom.
“They took all the color off of it, and took a lot of the mirrors out … [now] it seems very boring, plain, and sad,” Hevgold said.
The renovations also introduced new paper towel dispensers. Previously, the bathrooms had hand dryers and paper towel dispensers that were frequently broken. The new dispenser has been working since the beginning of the year, something students across campus have appreciated.
The students also said they did not notice a significant difference in cleanliness between the previous bathrooms and the renovated bathrooms.
The summer renovations have changed the bathroom experience of many students at SPHS, in numerous ways from big to small. While not all the students have held the same opinion around these changes, thoughts will continue to change as the year progresses.