MEADOW BRIDGE, W.V. (LOOTPRESS) – It’s a great day to be a Wildcat! This morning, members of the Fayette County Board of Education, the School Building Authority (SBA) and the community joined to break ground on the new Meadow Bridge preK through 12–grade facility.
According to Ben Ashley, Director of Architecture Services for the SBA, this project, which was funded by the SBA in December of 2019, will cost just more than $20 million.
“This project is happening right here in Meadow Bridge,” Ashley said. “Meadow Bridge is a major area in need, not just in Fayette Couty but the state. This means a lot to the county and the area, and we are excited about what this will do for the community. We are excited to break ground today.”
Ashley, who has overseen the design and construction of many schools in the state, gave some details as to what this new facility will look like.
Standing in the high school’s current gym, he explained that- while it will be completely renovated- it is the only part of the high school that will remain intact. The high school wing will be built first, followed by the elementary and middle school wings.
All three schools will connect at the gym.
On Monday, Gary Hough, Superintendent of Fayette County Schools, stated that this project is the largest groundbreaking of any they have done.
“This is something special,” he said, highlighting the board members, past and present administrators, staff, contractors, etc., who have been instrumental in the project.
Building a new Meadow Bridge facility has been on the county’s list for a long time. While Ashley says the SBA became serious about finding funding in 2016, State Board of Education member and former legislator Dave Perry says it has been needed for much longer than that.
“It’s a great day to be a Wildcat, isn’t it? 20 years later, we see this project come to fruition. Isn’t it fantastic? I am honored to say that part of my legislative career was involved with bringing this to fruition.”
Before joining the others outside to officially break ground, Ashely said he believes this new school will attract people from all over the state and is excited to watch as this project moves closer to completion.
“Anytime there is a major investment in funding, it’s great for the community. We are just super excited to finally break ground. When you break ground, you are always a little nervous because you don’t know what issues are going to arise. Anything can happen when you start digging, but, once demolition is finished and constriction starts, it’s exciting.”
According to Ashley, the project is expected to be completed in two years.
