Not to draw too many parallels to Jim Henson’s film “The Labyrinth,” but navigating maze-like fences, dead ends, and seeing the impressive skeleton of Oak Harbor High School’s new Career and Technical Education building on the horizon is a little disorienting.

“Students showed up to school very surprised,” Joe Hunt, school district spokesman, said.

Fencing was extended last weekend to increase student safety as contractors continued Phase 2 of school construction. The phase will include renovation of the A and B wings and construction of a building that will house the cafeteria, classrooms and auditorium.

When students arrived at school Tuesday, they found the main entrance and parts of the gym were off-limits. Fences wrapped around each wing and a few exits were marked with construction zone warnings. Construction zones are east of the C-wing and south of the gym.

Hunt said campus maps were doled out to students and after a few days, getting from classroom to classroom was easy, if more distanced.

“The students are definitely getting exercise,” he said.

Visitors and parents coming to sports matches will find a pathway at the west end of the student parking lot, near the tennis courts. Access to the gym will be to the right.

Major changes are occurring daily in the construction area, Hunt said, and Wednesday, the final piece of the outlying steel skeleton was lifted into place.

Construction will continue through fall 2010.