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By APRIL WRIGHT
The $661,509 renovation of Chestnut Creek
School of the Arts seems
to be running on budget and on schedule as South End Construction transforms
the former First National Bank in downtown Galax, into the art school, with
completion expected no later than the first week in August.
“The inside job helps out quite a bit during this time of
year,” said City Manager Keith Holland. “There hasn't been much of a weather
delay.”
Except for replacing the roof, most construction work will
be on the inside of the building on the corner of Main
and Grayson streets.
The architect's cost estimate for construction was
$800,000, but South End Construction's bid was only $661,509. They received
notice to proceed on Jan. 6 and began construction on Jan. 26.
Even though the Vinton company has 215 days to complete the
renovation from Jan. 6, Holland is hoping that the building will be ready for
artisans to begin holding classes there by the time of the Leaf & String
Festival in June, to lure visitors and locals into the new crown jewel of what
city planners hope will become a downtown “cultural arts district.”
“Although we'd love to have it ready by then, we're not
holding out for that,” said Holland.
“If it does happen, that will just be an added bonus.”
However, the official grand opening will be held in 2010 to
coincide with the 75th anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Old Fiddler's
Convention. A soft opening will be held later this year.
Holland said that tax credits will provide
$250,000 toward the project and will cover design fees and legal costs. Along
with a $300,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission and a $300,000
grant from an anonymous donor, the city will have the money on hand to fully
fund the construction.
Once the money from the tax credits comes in, most of that
money should be left over. Holland
said there has been no decision about where those funds will be spent.
The 8,800-square-foot building, which was acquired by the
city in 2006 for $104,000, will incorporate eight classrooms, a music room and
a sound booth for recordings, an elevator, a janitor's closet and a break room,
according to the architectural designs by Assistant City Manager Keith Barker
and Spectrum Design. But most of the building's lighting, windows and moldings
will be kept the same to preserve its historical value, points out Chris
Shackelford, the school's director.
With South End Construction just in the beginning stages of
demolition, electrical wiring and plumbing will begin soon. No color schemes
have been selected for the classrooms or hallway yet, but Shackelford said
mostly hardwood flooring will be placed throughout the building.
There's even talk of having a couple of third-floor rooms
to be used as a year-round residency for artisans.
“In five or six months, it should look good,” said Mark
Corkery, president of South End Construction.
Although classes are temporarily housed at the Vaughan Building next to the Galax Public
Library, Shackelford estimates that a variety of art courses should be held in
the new building by September.
CCSA will also create a campus environment throughout
downtown Galax with the help of private property owners. CCSA was approached a
few months ago by Richard and Judy Weigand, the new owners of the building at 110 Oldtown St.,
about leasing space for a 1,500-square-foot pottery studio and teaching
facility for the school.
At least 10 people are ready to create a co-op membership
for a pottery display and instructional studio.
Upon reaching full enrollment in four to five years, CCSA
anticipates registering 5,782 students in various classes and workshops with
tuition rates being at or below market status. At full enrollment, these rates
would generate $492,684 for operation and administration of the school,
creating three administrative positions and seventeen full-time faculty
positions.
According to an economic impact study performed in March
2006 by K. W. Poore & Associates, CCSA is expected to create 63 jobs and
provide a revenue stream of $1.7 million each year to the area through students
spending money on lodging, food, fees and other expenses.
Currently, two full-time jobs have been created, including
Shackelford's position, as well as a position for Penny Moseley, associate director
of CCSA.
For more than a year, a steering committee for CCSA —
consisting of mostly artisans from Galax, Grayson and Carroll counties — has
been planning classes, working on public relations material, recruiting
instructors and creating partnerships.
Last month, Shackelford and Galax High School
student Marta Saul formed a youth advisory committee for CCSA to open art
classes up for children and teens.
“We want to be sure that we hear what the youth of the
community want to learn,” said Shackelford. “We want to let them know that they
have a voice. Teens are an untapped resource as far as what they want.”
Shackelford said she would like to schedule classes, events
and activities that would make teens proud of where they are from.
And a couple of months ago, Shackelford was approached by
Saul, a volunteer at CCSA, with an interest in forming a committee to develop
youth programs, such as theater, jewelry making and even a woodwright shop.
Even though Saul decided to work as assistant to Moseley and
Shackelford as part of her required volunteer hours for the National Honor
Society, she wanted to become more involved.
“I always have been into arts,” said Saul, who plays piano,
accordion, percussion; sings; writes and draws. “I would love to see these
committee and school on its feet and thriving.
“This
is going to be big and exciting.”
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