EDWARDSVILLE — Demolition work was underway Thursday on the former Edwardsville High School gymnasium, now the Lincoln Middle School/Joe E. Lucco Gymnasium, as Edwardsville School District 7 continues a broader construction project at Lincoln Middle School aimed at updating academic spaces, improving accessibility and changing the campus entrance along Route 157.
District information this week said the Lincoln construction project continues to make significant progress, with much of the work shifting away from active classroom learning spaces after this summer.
Major updates include the transformation of the former small gym into a new band and orchestra area with rehearsal spaces, practice rooms, high ceilings, and future window installations. Construction also continues on the new “elective link,” which will connect sections of the building and improve accessibility by adding a second elevator.
Lucco Gym Demolition Reshapes Lincoln Middle School Campus
Several academic areas are nearing completion, including the CASTLE suite, seventh- and eighth-grade classrooms, science labs, and restrooms. Exterior restoration work, including window replacement and courtyard improvements, is also underway.
Summer work focused on infrastructure improvements, including underground plumbing installation, major auditorium renovations, completion of the future choir room area, and continued exterior construction. Crews were also set to begin demolition of the Lucco Gym area once abatement was complete, a step expected to significantly change the appearance and functionality of the campus entrance along Illinois Route 157.
Parking lot reconstruction and installation of a new switchback ramp connected to the shared-use path are planned to improve accessibility and traffic flow for students and families.
Looking ahead to the 2026-2027 school year, Lincoln construction will primarily focus on the remaining lower-level and first-floor areas.
