MARYSVILLE – How about the Dunshee Diner?

The Marysville School District had a tough time, but finally picked the Marysville-Pilchuck High School Food Commons as the name of the new eating area there.

But Superintendent Becky Berg and school board president Pete Lundberg said Wednesday that they wished they could name it after former state lawmaker Hans Dunshee. He was instrumental in getting $7.6 million in state funds for the project, with local money paying only about $700,000.

“If we named buildings after people, it would have to be Hans Dunshee,” Berg told about 40 leaders at an unveiling of the commons Dec. 21.

Lundberg said he had mentioned the exact same thing to someone just before she spoke.

“There’s a lot of requests for that money that could have gone to other projects,” Berg added.

Dunshee said he was glad as a lawmaker that he was able to help.

“The building is a tool of healing, a tool of unity,” he said. “But we are never forgetting.”

Berg agreed.

“We’re not over anything,” she said. “But we’re moving forward.”

She said she loves the new addition to M-P. She mentioned different gathering areas, the student store, the technology and the natural lighting.

“Now all we need is a new school like this,” she said, adding the community also will be able to use the food commons for various events.

M-P Principal Rob Lowry said students will start using the food commons after winter break Jan. 4. He said many students already took a sneak peek during their lunches and liked what they saw. He said while it will make things easier having all students eat in one area that students probably will miss eating with their teachers in classrooms.

The 16,382-square-foot building supports two daily lunch periods of about 470 students each. The new addition includes a central kitchen, as well as a DECA marketing classroom and Associated Student Body offices.

The building is environmentally friendly with LED and natural lighting. The heating, cooling and plumbing systems are designed to provide 15 percent reduction in energy consumption and 25 percent saving in use of potable water. The building is actually a little bit bigger than planned because it has impervious concrete outside as a tradeoff. The outdoors was made so it could be expanded as a plaza in the future.

A key feature that will be used this winter during basketball games and wrestling matches is the student store. A hole was punched in the wall to the gym so fans could get refreshments during games.

Visitors this week were impressed with the acoustics of the big room especially. Sound-control devices keep any echoing to a minimum.

Finance director Mike Sullivan said the district did the floor work. “We saved a lot of money doing it ourselves,” he said.

The district will host a community open house and celebration during the spring.

The building was needed because the previous M-P cafeteria was closed forever after the tragic shooting that took place there two years ago.

“It feels like we are turning the page on a very difficult chapter, and again looking to the future,” Berg said. “I’m thankful to our community for coming together during this difficult time, to state and local leaders who have been with us each step of the way, and to our students and staff who continue to demonstrate kindness, courage and resolve.”