A historic elementary school has been converted by Limestone College into a state-of-the-art space for theater and athletics.

Softball coach Jimmy Martin and theater professor Tim Baxter-Ferguson oversaw a year-long effort by the college to transform the old Limestone Elementary School into a dual-purpose facility called the Limestone Center. The college spent $800,000 on renovation work and new furniture so the 50- year-old structure now resembles a new building inside.

Limestone College acquired the facility in a property swap last year with the Cherokee County School District.

“This has been a wonderful addition to our campus,” Limestone College President Dr. Walt Griffin said. “We are very grateful to Dr. (Bill) James and the Cherokee County School Board for allowing us to acquire the elementary school.”

The decision to blend the theater department and athletic offices into one building has been an interesting project for athletic director Mike Cerino to watch develop.

“One of the things I am most excited about is how the college was able to blend the academic and athletic mission with the theater program and athletic department in one building,” Cerino said.

The Limestone Center has coaching suites for men’s and women’s soccer, lacrosse, baseball, softball, field hockey, cross country and track and field programs. There is a media room where coaches can hold film sessions and team meetings. A Hall of Fame display and locker room will be added later.

The upper part of the building contains a new auditorium and box office area for theater productions. There is an area for theater set construction, a classroom, theater rehearsal space and the office of professor Dr. Carrie Ameling.

“I am pleasantly surprised with how it all turned out. It looks beautiful on the inside,” Cerino said. “This helps further our broad future goals to balance all sports and have gender equity in our athletic program.”