Limestone College has entered the final stage in an effort to transform an old elementary school into new athletic offices and a theater wing.

College theater department chairman Tim Baxter-Ferguson was among several workers hired by the college this summer to convert the former Limestone Elementary auditorium into a new theater department wing. The 50-year-old elementary school building was acquired by the college in a property swap with the Cherokee County School District last year.

The theater department renovations will result in a multi-purpose classroom, theater rehearsal space, a costume storage area and a new auditorim for theater productions. The theater floor and auditorium seating are among the few items yet to be completed.

The new facility is called Limestone Center and is located on Leadmine Street behind the college lacrosse fields.

The college is currently on track to receive an occupancy permit by Nov. 1, Limestone College President Dr. Walt Griffin said. The theater department plans to present its next fall production in early November.

"This building will be a great addition to our college campus. It will provide badly needed space for our theater and athletic departments," Griffin said. "The renovation work will be much less than what it would cost for a new building."

The Limestone Center will house coaching offices for the lacrosse, soccer, baseball and softball programs. Future plans include adding team meeting rooms and locker rooms for the athletic teams.

Limestone received permission from the City of Gaffney two weeks ago to proceed with plans to begin converting classroom areas into athletic offices.

Some coaches are presently located in residential hall rooms due to lack of space on the Limestone College campus.

Officials are hopeful the athletic department will be able to move into the new athletic offices in Limestone Center over the Christmas holiday break.