TOWN OF ALDERSON POST OFFICE BOX 179 CITY BUILDING—311 MONROE STREET SOUTH ALDERSON, WEST VIRGINIA 24910 TELEPHONE (304) 445-2916

Contact:  Mayor Travis Copenhaver 304-445-2916 / Margaret Hambrick 304-646-2439

Sba Approves Funding For Alderson Elementary On   the   morning   of   April   19,   2021,   the   WV   School   Building   Authority(SBA)   approved   $8   million   dollars toward   the   renovation   of   the   Alderson   Community   Center   for   the   Arts   and   Humanities   (former   Alderson High    School)    to    become    the    new   Alderson    Elementary    School.        The    Greenbrier    County    Board    of Education will match this funding with $3 million for a total investment of $11 million. Greenbrier   Board   of   Education   President   Jeanie   Wyatt   made   the   announcement   at   a   quickly   assembled meeting   in   the   old   gymnasium   at   the   Alderson   Community   Center.      Chief   School   Business   Officer   David McClure   said,   “This   is   an   exciting   day   for   the   Alderson   Community   with   the   approval   for   the   adaptive   re- use   of   this   building.      There   were   28   applications   to   the   SBA   and   the   Alderson   application   was   ranked Number 4.”  Going   forward,   the   Greenbrier   County   Board   of   Education   will   immediately   advertise   for   an   architectural firm   to   complete   the   design.      A   committee   will   be   appointed   to   review   those   applications   with   the   top   3 receiving   interviews.     The   selected   firm   will   then   prepare   the   design   and   specifications   for   the   re-use.     The project   is   expected   to   go   to   bid   for   a   construction   firm   in   about   6   months.      The   construction   period   is   likely to last from 18 to 24 months with possible completion by the fall of 2024. Wyatt said, “Thanks to all those in the community and all the others who helped make this possible.” Mayor   Travis   Copenhaver   addressed   the   gathered   staff   of Alderson   Elementary   and   said,   “You   touch   lives every   day.      You   deserve   the   showcase   this   is   going   to   be.   You   shape   the   future   every   day   and   do   it   with passion.” Copenhaver   also   thanked   the   Board   of   the   Alderson   Community   Center   for   the   Arts   and   Humanities   who have   raised   hundreds   of   thousands   of   dollars   over   the   years   to   maintain   and   improve   the   building.     Without their efforts, this would not have been possible.  In   return   for   the   Community   Center   Building,   the   Town   of   Alderson   will   receive   the   current   Elementary School building and property.  PHOTO    CAPTION:        Greenbrier    County    Board    of    Education    President    Jeanie    Wyatt    announces    the funding   of   the   adaptive   re-use   of   the   old   Alderson   High   School   which   will   be   re-purposed   into   the   new Alderson   Elementary   School.      David   McClure,   Chief   School   Business   Officer   is   on   her   left   and   she   is flanked by members of the Greenbrier County Board of Education.

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