Final touches almost in place for fall opening of new Caldera High School in SE Bend

(Update: Adding video, comments, details from tour)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The brand-new Caldera High School is a few finishing touches from being complete for the 2021-2022 school year. 

After roughly four years of planning, about two years of construction and work by more than 1,000 people, Caldera High Principal Chris Boyd said during a tour Wednesday the school is on track to bring in students on Sept. 8.

"Everyone's really excited to bring the project to its end and bring students in the building and start school in the fall,” Boyd said. 

The 260,000-square-foot school at Southeast 15th Street and Knott Road will eventually house 1,600 students.

In athletics, iIt'll be the home of the blue-and-orange Caldera Wolfpack.

"We chose the Wolfpack because it’s representative of a community and a group,” Boyd said. 

Along with the gym, the school will have a cardio center, weight room, an auditorium, music rooms, an auxiliary gym, a life skills walking area and a separate room for wrestling, dance, yoga or cheer activities.

And of course, a football stadium, track field, softball, baseball and soccer fields.

Mike Condon, project manager for Bend-La Pine Schools, says he believes the layout of the school and the fields turned out well.

"It's pretty impressive," it's got a really cool flow to it because everything just flows together really nicely,” Condon said. 

He said there were a few setbacks, with the pandemic and material shortages, but it will still be ready on time.

"In the large scheme of things, we're in a really good spot,” Condon said. 

One aspect Boyd is proud of is the open concept the school features.

Both the cafeteria and the library are designed as open or common areas, as opposed to closed-off rooms.

He said this will give students more options on where they can eat, study and work.

The classrooms follow the same idea.

"And they can access space within the classroom and outside the classroom and still have supervision through line of sight,” Boyd said standing between a classroom and an open study area. 

While the school will only feature ninth and 10th-graders for its first year, Boyd said he is confident Caldera will have something for everyone as it ramps up, one grade a year to full capacity.

"Our goal is to make sure no matter where your student attends high school, you have the same options that are present at any other high school,” Boyd said. 

He said the building interior will be decorated by art from a local artist.