The two architectural firms selected as finalists for the upcoming school building projects made their presentations Monday afternoon in a joint meeting of the Warren County School Board, Financial Management Committee, and Education Committee.
Upland Design Group of Cookeville/ Crossville and Cope Architecture of Knoxville/ Nashville were allowed 30 minutes each for their presentations, with a question and answer session after each.
Both companies gave PowerPoint presentations of projects related to the ones planned by the county and answered questions previously sent to them by the School Board.
Upland representatives Derrick Clemow, Alan Hill, Scott Nicholson, Tony Gibson, and Tim Little gave a PowerPoint presentation emphasizing the importance of teamwork. Said Clemow, “It’s real important we know how to work with and assemble a good team.”
Cope Architecture was represented by John Cheney, Jim Hinton, Tim Little, Dave Allman, Tony Gibson, Kurt Boyd, and Ross Bryan. Their PowerPoint presentation focused on experience in building educational facilities. Said Hinton, “We know schools. Probably 70 percent of all of the work we do is in education.”
Upland has worked on several projects in Warren County, including the construction of Centertown Elementary, the Ben Lomand Operations Facility, Warren County E911, and the airport terminal, as well as previous projects at Bobby Ray.
Cope has not worked in Warren County before, but has had projects in neighboring counties and cities, including Van Buren County and Morristown, and has worked on several wellness/athletic facilities similar to that planned for the high school.
The Warren County Commission approved a $4.9 million budget in August for three school building projects.
An estimated $3 million will go toward expanding Irving College School at its current site with a new gym and approximately eight more classrooms.
WCHS will receive $1.1 million, which is the cost estimate on a multi-sport training complex, also called a Wellness Center, which will contain a 40-yard practice field, lockers, and a weight room.
Bobby Ray’s gymnasium will receive an extensive upgrade with the remaining $800,000.
The Warren County School Board will select an architect Thursday night and will make a recommendation to the county’s Financial Management Committee.