The school’s new Cafe Spaces is the latest renovation to be completed as part of the district’s major capital improvement project. Renovations to the cafeteria spaces included a redesign of both the school’s cafeterias, the kitchen and food preparation stations and student cafeteria service stations.

The school’s Cafe Spaces were designed to have a “modern collegiate or restaurant feel,” according to Jennifer Shearer, the cafeteria manager. The Cafe Spaces provide a combination of booths, round tables and tall tables in neutral colors with navy and metal designs and accents.

As part of the district’s capital improvement project, the school believed it was necessary to improve the quality of both the kitchen and cafeteria.

“Our kitchen was over 20 years old,” Shearer said. “The appliances were at the end of their useful life. The upkeep cost was extremely high. The design did not function well for us and was too small. The cafeteria spaces were outdated, and we wanted to expand the space to increase seating.”

Pictured is one of the new “Cafe Spaces” at Chautauqua Lake Central School.

Shearer said the modern design and larger kitchen has made food preparation significantly easier for the cafeteria staff. She explained the new design includes additional food preparation stations and storage areas, which has allowed the district to buy larger quantities of food in advance and with better pricing.

According to Shearer, everyone has loved the new cafe spaces at Chautauqua Lake. She said the students have especially enjoyed the addition of booths.

“Students have been extremely anxious to get into the new space,” Megan Lundgren, elementary principal, said. “Seeing the new table arrangements, including booths, has been exciting especially for our elementary students.”

Lundgren said the reaction of students and staff after the first day of the new Cafe Spaces was very positive. She said the reaction of many people was how “awesome” the finished product of the renovation project was.

“The renovation of our cafeteria and kitchen has exceeded our expectations.” Superintendent Dr. Josh Liddell, said. “It has created a collegiate-type atmosphere and will serve as an impressive centerpiece for our district for many years to come.”

Pictured is a new multipurpose room that was completed as part of the school’s capital improvement project.

Liddell said the cafeteria renovation project included 9,000 square feet of renovation.

According to Jennifer Davis, public relations specialist, the renovation project also included a new multipurpose room that can be used by student groups, staff members and community members.

Liddell said the multipurpose room was “reconstructed” from an adjacent room, taking advantage of an additional 1,500 square feet of space.

“The adjacent space was converted into a technologically advanced multi-purpose room that has direct access to the cafeteria,” he said. “This new space will serve as an area to hold student, staff and community meetings. The room will also be used as an instructional space.”

The new multipurpose room has already demonstrated an ability to host collaborative community events. Davis said the new facility was used in late November to host an Art Integration Workshop through the school’s partnership with the Chautauqua Institution, Jamestown Public Schools and the Kennedy Center.

Liddell expressed gratitude for the work completed by Clark Patterson Lee, Tim Brunswick and all the contractors, as well as the school staff for their hand in completing the renovation of the cafeteria spaces at Chautauqua Lake Central School.