WCMS auditorium stripped clean inside

By WILL STEWART / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Middle school principal Betty Wood said the complete renovation her school’s auditorium is currently receiving will enhance the school’s ability to serve its students and the needs of the community. (Will Stewart photo)

With demolition of the inside of Warren County Middle School’s auditorium nearly complete, renovation of the aging facility is set to begin in about a week.

The complete building overhaul will cost the school system approximately $325,000 and, barring any major changes, should be completed by August, said school system maintenance director Donnie Caldwell.

The school board voted in November to completely renovate the auditorium, which was originally built in the late 1950s. It was recently described as “decrepit.”

Demolition of the building’s interior was begun three weeks ago by local subcontractor API Services. Gone are all of the auditorium’s seats, lighting, curtains and asbestos flooring, the latter of which had to be removed very carefully, said API supervisor Charles Martin.

“We did it last weekend because we didn’t want to remove it while the kids were here. We used 14 employees and it took us only 15 hours so that it was done by Monday morning,” he said.

The building’s ceiling is set to be removed this week.

The largest portion of the construction, which is expected to begin a week from tomorrow, will be a handicap-accessible ramp to be placed on the building’s side. Construction of such a ramp is mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Other features will include brand new seats, a new floor and ceiling and a state-of-the-art lighting and sound system. Additionally, the middle school’s band room, which sits behind the auditorium stage, will receive a renovation. Band classes are currently being held in the school gym.

Middle school principal Betty Wood said, when completed, the new auditorium will be a boon for both the school and the community.

“I think it will truly enhance our school and it will be something Warren County can be proud of. As a school, it will allow us to seat the entire student body, with no kids having to sit on the floor like in the past,” she said.

In other school renovation work, Caldwell said the final stages of the Nunley Stadium renovation are scheduled to be let for bid next Tuesday. This phase of renovation will see the construction of a new press box-concession stand, additional bathrooms, new fence work and a new sound system.