By Dan Atkinson
Voice Writer
After a year’s-long effort, Pam Gardner’s dream of a lecture hall at West Haven High School has become a reality.
During her renowned career as a school administrator and then principal, Gardner dreamed of the high school building a lecture hall. She made multiple requests for one to be built when a new high school was constructed, but the project was scrapped for budgetary reasons multiple times before Gardner passed away from cancer in 2018. However, this didn’t mean the possibility of a new lecture hall came to an end.
A team of individuals, many of whom had strong relationships with Gardner, supported the successful effort to build the Pamela Bellmore Gardner Memorial Lecture Hall. This team was led by Ken Carney, the chairman of the city’s Building Oversight Committee and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Committee, along with Cebi Waterfield, Board of Education Chairman. Superintendent Neil Cavallaro secured the funding for the project after a long and challenging process, with the lecture hall funding being formally approved in late 2022.
Waterfield said the construction of the new facility is the fulfillment of a goal.
”One of my goals as chair(man) was to make sure Mrs. Gardner’s dream of a lecture hall for WHHS students was brought to fruition and I am so happy to see this project moving forward,” she said. “Pam was not only an excellent administrator and colleague, but she was also my friend.”
While its construction will be completely done in December, family and friends of Gardner came together to celebrate the Pamela Bellmore Gardner Memorial Lecture Hall being built on Friday, Aug. 18. Gardner’s daughter Mackenzie cherished finally being able to see her mother’s dream project in person.
“The plans for the lecture hall are brilliant. It will hold more students than the average classroom, which is essential for a school that grows in population yearly. The lecture hall will prepare students for secondary education, but it may also help students decide if secondary education is the correct fit for them,” she said.
After the original plans for the lecture hall were nixed, WHHS was able to pursue the project again when ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds became available during the pandemic. $4 million was allocated towards the lecture hall, but after it was designed and put out to bid, the cost escalated to $6.2 million.
Carney discussed the steps he took to lower the cost of constructing the lecture hall, which is being done by Gilbane Building Company. He invited representatives from Gilbane to walk the halls of WHHS and then suggested that the lecture hall be placed in its present location. This is to the right of the school’s front entrance and on flatter land than the original location selected. The lecture hall will also seat fewer people (up to 96) vs 126 and have no bathrooms. The lecture hall is positioned close to existing bathrooms.
“I spent much time negotiating the size of the hall and its price,” Carney said. “As a result, we fulfilled a commitment to the Gardner family and Pam’s memory.”
The Pamela Bellmore Gardner Memorial Lecture Hall will be approximately 2,000 feet and hold up to four classrooms. It is one story with a lobby connecting to the high school. The Building Committee is managing the project, which is on budget and schedule. The foundation for the lecture hall has all been installed. The steel structure is currently being erected.
Mackenzie discussed why constructing a lecture hall at West Haven High School was so important to her mother.
“My mother always dreamed of having a lecture hall to provide a college-level educational experience for students. She always believed in the West Haven students and their abilities to pursue secondary education. She saw the lecture hall as a space for students and teachers to take their education to the next level,” Mackenzie said.
“I know this lecture hall would not have been possible without the work of many people behind the scenes advocating for my mother’s dream. I feel incredibly proud to know that my mother’s legacy will forever live on at West Haven High School. Even though she has passed, my mother still finds a way to make an impact on the students’ lives, “she said.
The lecture hall will have state-of-the-art audio/visual components. There will be an adjustable podium that can control light, sound, and video. Carney believes the space will likely hold Board of Education meetings. The lecture hall is also fitted with acoustical wall panels and a tiered, suspended ceiling.
Carney attended high school with Gardner and worked together with her to get a lecture hall built at WHHS for many years. He is excited to finally fulfill Gardner’s wishes while honoring her impact on the school.
“We miss Pam greatly. When the town decided not to build a lecture hall, I told her I would do everything I could to make sure it would be constructed,” Carney said. “I feel that the lecture hall is a perfect tribute to someone who was a fantastic principal, great person who helped build the new high school and the lives of many students.”