It was billed as an open house, but it was really more of an open garage at Worcester Central School last Wednesday.
Worcester officials and school board members welcomed the public to tour the school district’s new bus garage that opened in early November.
The new garage, behind Stewart’s Shop near the I-88 exchange, replaces an old garage on the school grounds.
The new garage cost $2.1 million, according to Superintendent Gary Kuch.
“We adjusted the plans a little to get some savings,” Mr. Kuch said. “It’s a functioning bus garage, something we really needed.”
Transportation Coordinator Doug Mowers heartily agreed.
“It’s unbelievable. . .really nice,” Mr. Mowers said. “It has everything we need and then some. It’s well-lit and easier and better to work in.”
With a huge open workspace, the garage has two bus lifts, including a moveable one, and an exhaust-removal system.
Although the garage isn’t quite large enough to fit Worcester’s entire fleet, it can hold most of the district’s eight large buses and three cars.
“The other one, you could barely get one bus in,” Mr. Mowers said.
Drivers and mechanics have praised the new garage, he added.
“They really appreciate it,” Mr. Mowers said. “They just feel better about working here.
“It’s quite an asset for the district.”