Following a strong presentation from Sherman Carter Barnhart Architect and Western Kentucky Office Director Chris Jones, the Trigg County Schools Board of Education accepted the build-out and full design of a new Trigg County Middle School awning, as well as potentially major remodel of the Trigg County High School Gymnasium.
According to Jones, the highest bidding priority for the district is the completion of the new entrance.
He said adding to the project, however, could be beneficial.
Several desired critical improvements to the Trigg County High School Gymnasium include:
+ A new elevator from the concourse to the court floor
+ New retractable bleachers on the sides
+ New metal guardrails for all steps
+ New basketball goals
+ A demolition of the existing press box
+ And the widening of aisles on permanent bleachers
If money, and bidding, permits, Jones said there are optional priorities also on the wish list, including:
+ A demolition of the existing concession stand, while building a new one, replacing the door with a window to the court
+ Restroom renovations, which would involve a new ceiling, new light fixtures, new solid countertops, exhaust fans and improve toilet partitions
+ An expansion of the lobby, by enclosing the existing covered porch, and turning the standing ticket booth into a trophy case
+ General interior painting
+ A refinish of the lobby and restroom terrazzo
+ And new lockers in the physical education locker room
All told, Jones said if the bids came back close to his team’s guesstimates, the cost of the entire project would be roughly $1.75 million before a 10% contingency fund.
Holly Greene, the school’s chief financial officer, said the district’s cash reserves could pay for the full effort.
One of the main concerns, however, comes from Director of Operations Matt Ladd, who noted the gym’s improvements might cost a little more, if a certain report comes back negatively.
Still, Ladd is looking forward to a number of key campus changes being affordable and eventually approved, and said a timeline is in place for construction, should the board seek it.
Jones confirmed that several implements in the gymnasium still look as if they are from 1962 — when the building was constructed just two years after a devastating fire.
