OUTLOOK | APRIL 2020 73
million. It breaks down like this: $10 million of it has
already been spent on the new gym, and another $40
million for the remainder of the project.
When planned out a few years ago, the renovation
of the entire school was projected to cost around $25
million. However, Southern A&E architect Steve McClune
admitted to highly underestimating the cost of the project
after a sudden construction cost spike.
The original cost of the gym went over $6 million
because of additional items, like a double concession
stand and extra locker rooms, running the final total up to
$10 million.
At a called January board meeting, a budget study done
by the school system showed a projected $35 million cost
for the remainder of the school’s project. After crunching
his own numbers, Wilson believes it will cost five million
more than that. Adding in the gym that was already built,
the school is now projected to cost about twice as much
as originally planned.
“What was originally a $25 million project, we’re now
estimating that it will cost about $50 million,” he said.
With all that, some originally considered design
elements may not happen.
Melinda Strickland, a board member, said that
clerestory windows were supposed to be a big wow factor
for Armuchee’s renovation, and may have been a guiding
light for people to support the latest ELOST.
It’s dark inside of Armuchee, and they were hoping to
get some natural sunlight into the school to brighten it
up. However, Wilson’s calculations estimate clerestory
windows to be an extra $1.8 million.
“If we do that, we’re going to have to take $1.8 million out
of somewhere else,” Wilson said to the board. “There’s no
sign of costs going down.”
Ultimately, John Rhodarmer, the school principal, agrees
that lighting inside of Armuchee has been an issue for a
while.
“Our kids are interested in lighting,” he said. “Since
I’ve been there, when we go in the building … our floor,
our walls, and our ceilings were all the same color. LED
lighting, stuff like that is going to brighten that place up. If
a clerestory is what we need, then a clerestory is what we
need if that’s what was promised.”
However, he feels there are a number of ways to bring
lighting and other nice aspects into Armuchee while also
being fiscally responsible.
“Fifty million dollars is a lot of money to me,” he said. “I
want to make sure we’re being fiscally responsible for all of
our students in Armuchee.”
Armuchee girls’ basketball coach Michelle Arp and boys’ basketball
coach Clint Decker at the opening of the school’s gym.
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