At first, it was the dry summer. Then the relatively snow-free winter.

Thanks to good luck from Mother Nature, the new Lake Local High School is progressing ahead of schedule and is about 70 percent done.

"We will take the keys officially on July the 12th," Superintendent Jim Witt said last week.

The district is building the new high school after a June, 2010, tornado destroyed the old building.

The new $25 million building, which is on budget, is expected to open for the 2012-2013 school year.

The exterior of the school at State Rt. 795 and Lemoyne Road is nearly complete while inside, crews are installing floors in the first classrooms.

Shipments of other items, such as science cabinets, are starting to arrive.

"It's moving along pretty well," Mr. Witt said about the project.

The district is paying for the new Lake High School with $19 million in insurance money, $4.8 million from the Ohio School Facilities Commission, and $500,000 from a national contest sponsored by Kohl's.

First Published February 22, 2012, 5:00 a.m.