PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

THE THOMASTON UPSON BOARD OF EDUCATION MADE EVERYBODY HAPPY WITH A DECISION ON THE NEW PROPOSED PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, TUESDAY, A FREE-STANDING BUILDING NEAR THE HIGH SCHOOL. ON A RECOMMENDATION BY ARCHITECTS MANLEY, SPANGLER, AND ASSOCIATES OF GRIFFIN, THE BOARD AGREED TO INCLUDE A BAND AND DRAMA SUITE IN THE PLANS , WHICH COULD ADD $ 1 MILLION TO THE COST. HOWEVER, THE TWO CLASSROOMS COULD BE ELIMINATED FROM THE PROJECT, IF THE CONTRACTOR'S BID IS OVER BUDGET. ACCORDING TO THE ARCHITECTS , SCHEME A , JUST THE 6000 SQUARE FOOT AUDITORIUM, SEATING 900 , WOULD COST ABOUT $7 MILLION, SCHEME B WITH THE BAND AND DRAMA CLASSROOMS $8 MILLION. THE SCHOOL BOARD HAS ABOUT $7 MILLION IN SPLOST FUNDS FOR THE PROJECT, BUT SOME BOARD MEMBERS OPPOSED THE CLASSROOMS BECAUSE IT WOULD UP THE COST. NOW THE DECISION CAN BE MADE WHEN THE BIDS COME IN, PROBABLY MIDSUMMER. CONSTRUCTION COULD START IN AUGUST, AN 18 MONTH PROJECT TO OPEN IN APRIL 2013. THOMASTON'S COY BOWLES OF THE SUPER STAR ZAC BROWN BAND COMMENDED THE BOARD FOR MOVING forward WITH THE PROJECT DURING PUBLIC COMMENTS. COY SAID A QUALITY PERFORMING FACILITY ENCOURAGES CREATIVITY. JAY EUBANKS CHAIR OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE THANKED THE BOARD, HE SUPPORTS ADDING THE BAND AND DRAMA CLASSROOMS.