Congratulations to all those involved in reopening Whatcom Middle School just 21 months after the devastating fire Nov. 5, 2009.

Bellingham Unified School District staff, Dawson Construction, Reid Middleton structural engineers, Dykeman architects, insurance companies and the city of Bellingham worked to complete the $15.7 million construction in record time.

The school was slated to be closed for three years for repairs. But Sept. 6 will see Whatcom Middle School students return to classes together after being split among Bellingham High, Squalicum High, Fairhaven Middle and Geneva Elementary schools.

The fire was ruled accidental, likely related to welding work on the roof, and the district's insurance group's suit against Advance Construction Inc. and Gagnon Welding continues.

But now is a time to celebrate. Tours for the community start after a noon Thursday, Sept. 1, ceremony and continue through 6 p.m.

Thousands of students have attended the school since it first opened, as North Side High, in 1903. We're delighted the upgraded school will continue to serve well into the future.