Physical education building addition at WCHS approved

A new construction project is officially underway at Whitley County High School as the necessary documents have been approved by the Whitley County Board of Education for an addition to the school’s existing physical education building.

During the board’s recent regular monthly meeting, Beth Bauer, a project manager with Ross Tarrant Architects, presented board members with schematics for the addition. According to the information provided, the addition will allow for an expanded weightlifting room, training room and will include extra amenities, such as a whirlpool.

“It is a really large, usable space. So, quite an upgrade from the current condition,” said Bauer.

The exterior of the new building has been designed to match the existing building as closely as possible. As part of the project, the existing physical education building will also receive some minor renovations, such as LED lighting upgrades.

The board unanimously approved all documentation related to the addition, which will now be submitted to the Kentucky Department of Education.

The board also subsequently approved to have a survey performed at the site of the addition and to advertise for bids for the building’s construction. The survey will cost just over $5,800 and is meant to provide additional information about the construction site, such as feasibility and the location of underground lines. The process for bids will take several weeks, with a bid opening expected to be held at the board’s August meeting.

During Bauer’s presentation, she provided updates on other ongoing construction projects within the district. Work on the Career and Technical Education Building at WCHS remains on track, according to Bauer, and the project is still anticipated to meet its target completion date in November.

HVAC upgrades at Whitley North Elementary are approximately 35 percent done and should be completed in August before school returns to session. A cafeteria addition at Oak Grove Elementary is still slated for completion in December despite several days of work stoppage due to a gas line that wasn’t surveyed having to be rerouted.