New high school ahead of schedule

Published 6:30 am Thursday, March 23, 2017

The construction on the new $55 million Athens High School is proceeding ahead of schedule, the project manager said Wednesday.

Jim Maynard of Martin & Cobey Construction said a little more than 120 workers are continuing to make progress on the 265,000-square-foot facility, set to be completed in 2018.

“We did not have a very difficult winter, and that has aided us,” he said. “We’ve picked up a little rain recently, but we didn’t suffer the cold temperatures that affect concrete and mortar. That’s been good for construction.”

Two slab-on-grade concrete pours have been made as well as the pours for the two main storm shelter walls. The shelter will be able to accommodate 1,916 people and withstand a lateral wind of 200 mph.

Curb and gutter has also been installed as well as the gravel base for roads and parking lots. The school will have five separate lots that will accommodate 612 spots.

Maynard said an asphalt binder course will be laid within the next week, though it won’t be the final asphalt layer for the roads. He said the preliminary road is just a way to keep the worksite clean during construction.

In terms of building construction, work has been steady on the band and choir rooms where workers are building up walls to first-floor height. The 4,338-square-foot band room will include a practice room, storage areas and band director office.

School benefits

Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks has held the belief the new school would eventually lead to more residential and commercial development in Athens. He said the city has received two “inquiries” about a 3-acre parcel to the west of Fairfield Inn and Suites, which is owned by the city.

An appraisal will soon be performed on the property to determine its value should the right project come along.

Marks again reiterated a growing interest in his city, which he attributed to quality of life improvements and the new high school.

“There just so much energy right now,” he said. “I never doubted the high school would pay off.”