ASHLAND, Ky. (WSAZ) – It’s been about two years that officials with Ashland Independent Schools have been working to get a student wellness facility for their students at Ashland Blazer High School.
The facility will be used by all of the schools’ programs including sports, JROTC, band, and even for gym classes if necessary.
School officials said the idea is to keep their students close to home.
New athletic complex on the way
“Having a facility like this gives them all the opportunity to stay right there on campus, and it gives them a permanent home,” said Jim Conway, Athletic Director for Ashland Blazer High School.
At Monday’s Board of Education meeting, the school board approved the final drawings presented by architects, ClotfelterSamokar.
Along with the final drawing, architects also showed a digital walkthrough that shows what the two story, 21,000-square-foot building could look like once completed.
The video features gym equipment, a turf and a mezzanine.
School officials also said the outside of the building will be mostly brick and glass windows to blend in with the other buildings already on campus.
The next step forward is looking to bid out the project, which will also help finalize the cost and get the school an estimated completion date.
“There’s a great deal of excitement in the community and definitely in our school district about moving forward with the project,” said Richard Oppenheimer, Director of Facilities.
Though there is no set completion date, Oppenheimer said once they begin building, it will take a while to be fully finished.
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