Booker T work to include new floor, restrooms

Work is expected to begin in the next couple of months on the renovation of the old Booker T. Washington gym.

A portion of the proceeds from a $1.2 million bond issue that was passed last year will be used to replace the gym floor, do repairs to the roof, create an entrance on the west side of the building and redo the bathrooms, making them handicap assessable.

Currently, the Parks and Recreation Department uses the building for its youth basketball leagues.

Director Cody Bryan said there are 187 children involved in the program which runs from January to the end of March.

Headstart and the Multi-County Community Service Agency also use the facility.

The city has hired Waggoner Engineering to oversee the project.

Plans are for an architect to visit the building in the next week or so and draw up plans.

The plan along with the costs of the project will be brought back to aldermen for their approval.

The bond issue when first considered was to be for $2.5 million with $1 million going to Marty Stuart’s Congress of Country Music project, but officials learned they couldn’t expend monies that way.

The city dropped the borrowing to $1.5 million. Later, the city decided to ask for $1.2 million but maintained the option to ask for the full amount if needed.

This bond issue was to cover big-ticket items that the city had not budgeted.

Included were repairs to the old U.S. Motors building which houses a La-z-Boy, roof repairs for the Wells-Lamont building and a Valley View ditch project.

The city has other projects on its wish list but most of the remaining monies will be used for paving.

Alderman-at-Large Leroy Clemons announced the project Tuesday evening on his Facebook page.

"Tonight, the Mayor and Board of Aldermen approved the design for the upgrade to the Booker T. Washington Gym," Clemons said on his Facebook page. "This project will greatly benefit our entire County."