EAST PROVIDENCE — The most recognized element of the old East Providence High School campus was rendered to history in the early morning hours of Thursday, Sept. 30, with the demolition of the landmark clock tower as part of the continued razing of the main structure by project sub-contractor J.R. Vinagro Corp.

Where the tower and the old school were once situated for the better part of the last seven decades will soon be remediated and leveled to make way for baseball and softball fields along with tennis courts as part of the $189.5 million new high school project.

The lighted synthetic turf fields, the larger surfaces of which will serve other EPHS sports teams and the community at large, and the illuminated courts aren’t expected to be completed until the start of the 2022-23 school term.

In the meantime, the toppling of the tower, to be replaced by a modernized near-replica version of its predecessor at the center entryway of the new campus, proved to be an emotional moment for many residents and alumni who used the building from its opening in 1952 until is closed in June of 2021.

EPHS head football coach Jon Stringfellow, a dean of students by day at the school as well, summed up the sentiments of many in the city that morning, when he captioned photos of the tower’s demise on the team’s Twitter feed, “Sad day for EP clock tower. Townie pride will continue to thrive!”

The district’s three lead consultants on the new school endeavor — Gilbane, Ai3 architects and the Peregrine Group — presented scenarios to the EPHS Building Committee charged with making decisions on the project to either preserve the old tower or replace it with a new version. The opinion of the professionals leaned heavily towards building an updated one.

To keep the old tower at its former location would have proven to be cost prohibitive, technically difficult and would not be compatible with the aesthetics of the new building. Ai3 provided initial estimates of at least between $300,000-400,000 to retrofit the old tower the refurbished grounds, dig deep to secure its foundation and build a retaining wall for its stability.

The committee eventually decided to move forward with a modern version of the tower, choosing earlier this calendar year from one of three concepts developed by Ai3, the eventual product closely resembling the original with many up-to-date aspects. The new tower will be approximately 52-foot tall and include the “triangular” theme (past, present, future) used in shapes throughout the entire new school.

“Many of us will always remember the old tower as it stood in front of our school, was displayed as a logo in various ways, and was a backdrop for many photos,” said new EPHS Building Committee co-chair Joel Monteiro. “I wouldn't say that the new clock tower will be a thousand times better, but it will be better for a couple of reasons: It will keep time, for starters."

Added Monteiro and fellow new EPHS Building Committee co-chair Nate Cahoon in a joint comment, “Most importantly, it will compliment the new EPHS, and stand as a sign of this community's commitment to support every effort to advance our students, and prepare them for success in the 21st century. We are passing the torch, and the entire torch must be fitting of its recipient. We began this project committed to delivering a complete package of growth for our community and children. The new clock tower will be one important piece of the package, as it will resemble the past in its basic design, yet fitted for the future in its function.”