Monroe High opens doors to show off $36 million renovations
Expansion includes 26 classrooms, eight labs and a new gym
By Terry Lewis
ALBANY — Students, faculty, staff, alumni and Monroe High School gathered Friday to get their first look at the school’s ongoing Phase II $36 million renovation.
What they saw was a new 44,605-square-foot academic wing featuring 26 classrooms and six science labs that will be open when students return from the Christmas/New Year’s break, and a 47,617-square-foot gymnasium complex that will seat 1,777 people and an auxiliary gym that will seat 373. Both gyms are expected to open in early spring.
The main gym complex also will have some chair-back seating. The auxiliary gym’s main use will be as a practice facility, for physical education classes and as a community facility
In addition to touring the new facilities, visitors were able to sign the new gymnasium’s concrete sub-floor before the final wood surface is installed in the next few weeks.
People also had the opportunity to sign the wall underneath where one of the goals will be located. The names on the floor and the wall will be covered by 2.5 inch strips of maple hardwood while the names on the wall will be covered by wall bumper pads
“The new arena is a collegiate style facility,” Dougherty County Facilities Director Bob Fowler said. “When everything is finished, it will be something the school system and the school can be proud of. “
Monroe Principal Vinson Davis, who greeted visitors at the door, agreed.
“I couldn’t be happier right now,” Davis said. “The turnout we’ve had to tour the new facilities has been great. We’ve had alumni drive long distances to see what we’ve done. It’s been fun to see the students and watch the alumni react.”
The work, however, does not stop with the completion of the academic wing and gym. According to Fowler, there are plans in place to raze the current gym and build a new ninth-grade facility in its place. That demolition cannot begin until the new gym opens in April.
The system also has plans to renovate the school’s auditorium and to build a small fine arts center on campus.
“We are in an exciting time right now, we are going to have a top-notch facility,” Davis said. “We have to get the kids to appreciate it and take care of it. That’s part of the work.”
Related Articles
Albany, Dougherty County plan Juneteenth celebration
Albany’s sixth annual Juneteenth celebration is set for 1 p.m.-6 p.m. on June 20 at the Albany Civic Center. The event will include entertainment, food and activities for youngsters.
Dougherty Environmental Control Division on front lines of mosquito war
“It usually takes about five to seven days to complete a quadrant, depending on the weather. Running four, we can get to all four quadrants to make sure we get to citizens in a timely manner. Mosquitoes can carry diseases and they are a nuisance.”
CWC Alliance brings substance-abuse training to southwest Georgia
“We train youth and young adults across the state on substance-use prevention. It’s been incredible to partner with NAMI Albany. Through this training they will become youth prevention mentors.”
