By Gerri Miller
Staff Writer – Elmore-Autauga News
Elmore County education officials, state and local leaders broke ground today for a new $1.65 million music complex for Stanhope Elmore High School.
Construction on the 9,311-square-foor complex is scheduled to begin in about a week and a half and be completed in about eight months, according to Freddie Lynn of Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood, Inc. Lynn said he even has Stanhope Elmore High graduates working on the project.
The complex will include a 2,700-foot-bandroom which will replace the current 50-year-old facility. The new band room will be 1,000 square feet larger than the current facility. The new complex will also include a 1,295-foot choral room as well as rooms for piano and music classes.
Wesley Morris, Stanhope’s band/chorus director, said there is much excitement in the school halls with the announcement of the new complex. “You think of the thousands of students who have come through the current band room and then the thousands who will enjoy the new one – it’s exciting.”
Morris said Stanhope Elmore High typically has about 175 students involved in its music program.
What’s he most excited about? The new complex will have a laundry room! “The students won’t have to take their shirts and uniforms home to be cleaned anymore,” he said.
Elmore County School Superintendent Richard Dennis said the Millbrook/Coosada population is expected to increase over the next three to five years and the new facility is being built to accommodate that growth.
Dennis said the project is one of many for Stanhope Elmore High.
“It started with the addition of an atrium,” he said. “After the band room, Phase Two will involve improvement of the oldest section of the building.”
Dennis said that band is one of the most significant and integral groups on campus. “It is a huge part of your fine arts program,” he said. “It contributes greatly to school spirit.”
The event was attended by city, county, and state leaders. Dale Bain, BOE vice chairman, thanked Chief Financial Officer Jason Mann for guiding the Board through the funding process for the project.
“I had two daughters who graduated from Stanhope Elmore and the oldest was in the band,” he said.
Principal Ewell Fuller thanked alumni for attending the program. “We have about 250 students in our performing arts program (choir/theatre/band). The impact this will have not only on Stanhope Elmore, but the community is phenomenal. You should see the excitement on the kids’ faces when you mention a new band room to them.”
The band room project is part of a $50 million bond issue floated by the Elmore County Board of Education. The bond will cover multiple projects throughout the county, including an expansion to the Elmore Technical Center. Next week, ground will be broken for a new Redland Middle School. See more photos below!
