Students have it made in the shade

The outdoor shade structure under construction since summer at Maricopa High School is done so students can enjoy the area to eat, hang out and get away from the sun.

“The kids love it,” Principal June Celaya said. “Absolutely love it. The kids are all sitting outside. They’re so thankful to have shade.”

The structure, which includes electricity, cost $500,000 to install. It was completed in early December.

Other improvements to the area include the installation of garage-style doors that can be opened to make the multi-purpose room, where the students eat, more open.

Students are grateful for the new area. Before, Celaya said, they complained the multi-purpose room was crowded and dark.

“I think it was necessary because we needed to increase the capacity at lunches,” Celaya said. “We’re at 1,700 kids, and all those kids do not fit into the cafeteria.”

MHS senior Laura Hernandez echoed the same sentiments.

“We really needed it because it was really crowded in the cafeteria,” she said. “And it’s just really nice to spend time outside.”

Hernandez is a bit disappointed the structure is being built during her senior year, but she said it will be a great addition to the campus for future students.

“I hope that people just enjoy it through the years,” Hernandez said.

Her classmate Josie Somos agreed, saying it will be a great area for future generations. And what are her classmates saying?

“My classmates think it was cool because it’s not as crowded in the cafeteria,” she said. “That was a huge issue last year, having a place to sit almost.”

Besides being used to avoid the sun and crowded cafeteria, the structure also will be used as an amphitheater, Celaya said.

“I had a teacher out there with his class. They were doing their lessons outside,” she said. “It’s just a multi-use.”

***ADVERTISEMENT***Students and clubs used the structure during Homecoming Week as a place to house tables for clubs and games.

“That’s been nice. In the past they were always limited by the grass or the dirt or just whatever was paved, and now they have a huge paved area to work with,” Celaya said.

The outdoor eating area is one of several projects the district has undertaken in recent years. Shade awnings or structures also were installed at Maricopa Wells Middle School and at Santa Cruz and Pima Butte elementary schools last school year.