Many Grand Junction High School students will have something to be very thankful for following the Thanksgiving Break.

Some of the former GJHS building — mainly the old gym and auditorium’s footprint — is being converted into more student parking, which is connected to the rest of student parking on the southwest side of the school.

“The GJHS parking lot construction will be done right when we get back from Thanksgiving break,” GJHS vice principal Josh Warinner said.

The current student parking lot has limited space with only 208 available spaces, and many students complain about jams when they try to leave the school. Additionally, there have been safety concerns involving traffic in and around the school.

The school plans to resolve other parking-related problems. According to GJHS principal Jory Sorenson, the expanded parking lot with 110 more spaces will have more entrances and exits for the students to park, which will allow students to leave easier.

This is due to be completed after Thanksgiving break. Until then, the parking lot’s size is temporarily reduced for construction since there will be fencing that cuts off some of the lot.

According to the Blythe Group website, the architectural firm that designed the new building, the completed student parking lot will contain 603 spaces, while the old building had 501.