Blacksburg addition ready for students
By SCOTT POWELL Ledger Staff Writer spowell@gaffneyledger.com

The Cherokee County School District has received an occupancy permit from the state for the Blacksburg High ninth grade addition. This meant the school district could take ownership of the building upon a successful state inspection.

The structure was substantially complete in mid- January.

No timetable has been set for when the building will be put into use. It was part of a $6.2 million project that includes an athletic field house, softball field and some minor stadium repairs.

"We are optimistic that we can move into the ninth grade addition for parent visitation next Friday," Blacksburg High Principal Jim Touchberry said. "We are not going to rush into it and leave things that still need to be done. We hope it will be ready in the next few weeks."

The athletic field house was completed last August. The softball field is expected to be ready this spring.

The 2-story, 36,404 squarefoot ninth grade wing must still undergo a few final hurdles before Blacksburg High students and faculty can move into the building. The addition will include 12 regular classsrooms, two physical science labs, a band room addition and guidance offices.

Contractor Randolph Builders is working to correct a 100-item punch list, Southern Management senior project manager Jim Britton said. the contractor will need to do additional asphalt and grading work because of standing water that has occurred on Ramseur and Ramsey streets near the high school addition.

Upon completion of the punch list, school district officials will then walk through the building and note any additional items for the contractor to complete before a move-in date is scheduled.

Britton gave an update on the completion schedule for other projects in the district's $35 million school building program.

The 6-classroom Goucher Elementary addition will likely be finished by mid-March, Britton said. The Gaffney High ninth grade wing is on track for a mid-May completion date.

The new Limestone Learning Center is scheduled for completion on June 1, Britton said. The district's adult education and alternative school projects will be housed in the facility, which is located off Allison Road behind Luther Vaughan Elementary.

The Gaffney High stadium will be completed this summer. Workers recently framed the metal roof for the team meeting room and have poured concrete for the home and visitor seating sections. Aluminum bleachers are currently scheduled to be installed in March.

"The weather is killing the contractor (Melloul Blamey) on the stadium project right now," Britton said. "They are working on weekends in an effort to stay on schedule."