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By Karen Middleton
karen@athensnews-courier.com
Cooper Construction Manager Tommy Day looks over renovation plans to convert the old Pilgrim’s Pride warehouse, in background, to the Limestone County Event Center. Construction is expected to take six months once a permit is issued by the city of Athens.
Construction will begin on the Limestone County Event Center as soon as county officials can secure a building permit from the city of Athens, according to a Cooper Construction manager.
Tommy Day, Cooper construction manager, will be on-site throughout the renovation of the old Pilgrim’s Pride warehouse. He said Monday some demolition work has begun, but actual construction cannot begin until officials get the permit.
The 18,000-square-foot warehouse is off Pryor Street adjacent to the old L&N Freight Depot, which was converted to the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives several years ago.
Plans call for adding two banks of restrooms plus a commercial kitchen to the east side of the structure. There will also be a fenced courtyard for outside seating. The county has already replaced the roof and a drainage system, as well as filling in a recessed truck bay and putting down a crushed gravel surface on the parking lot.
“The inside will all be left open for tables or equipment for shows,” said Day. “The kitchen, restrooms and the lobby will be in the additions. When we get the permit we’ll be going full blast, putting in a sprinkler system, heating and air-conditioning and new lighting system.”
County Commission Chairman David Seibert said the main auditorium would seat 2,000 people. He said Monday he has already had inquiries from several local groups about renting the facility.
Construction is targeted for completion in six months.
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