Whitefish High School’s Class of 2013 will have its commencement ceremony at Majestic Valley Arena.

Construction work to remodel the Whitefish gym is set to begin this spring so graduation has been moved to the arena north of Kalispell.  

Graduation is scheduled for 1 p.m. on June 1, 2013.

“If graduation is not hosted in the gym we have limited options to accommodate that large of a crowd,” Principal Kerry Drown said. “The Majestic Valley gives us the ability to still have a first-class operation for graduation. We want to ensure this class doesn’t get a second-hand event because of this construction.”

Drown noted the arena has hosted Flathead High School graduation ceremonies in the past and is familiar with handling this type of event. The school continues to work out the details with Majestic Valley.

The high school received a state Quality Schools Grant to replace the gym floor and install new bleachers.

To comply with the grant, the work for the gym must be completed by the end of June.

The construction also is expected to impact physical education classes in the spring. Part of the gym will be available during a portion of the construction work and the weight room and wrestling room will still be usable.

“The construction and classes will be able to coexist for a couple weeks,” Drown said. “The P.E. teachers will have to adjust the curriculum to the new environments and outside when weather permits.”