Cooper Construction

1/12/2010 - Event Center on Track for Completion

The Limestone County Event Center is on track for an early-to-mid-May completion, although workmen hit a snag in the past week in renovating the old Pilgrim’s Pride warehouse.

Construction site Manager Tommy Day of Cooper Construction of Birmingham said work was progressing well until workmen discovered what Day described as underground “piers” that at one time supported structures along the side, possibly an overhanging porch or permanent awning.

The Limestone County Event Center is on track for an early-to-mid-May completion, although workmen hit a snag in the past week in renovating the old Pilgrim’s Pride warehouse.

Workmen excavated the piers and discarded them. Meanwhile, workmen cut a large opening on the east side from which a lobby and two banks of restrooms will extend. They also cut numerous exits and are beginning to build handicapped ramps off the exits on the Marion Street side of the structure.

“We have all the underground power in and sewers,” said Day. “Except, we don’t have the fire main in. We will also have to put in extra steel to support the heating and air-conditioning units.”

Day estimated that original construction of the 18,000-square-foot warehouse off Pryor Street, which is located across the parking lot from the old L&N Freight Depot, which was converted to the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives several years ago, dates from about the same era as the depot. The depot was built ca. 1912.

“The brickwork matches,” said Day.

In more recent years, Sweet Sue, the original owner of Pilgrim’s Pride, installed a metal roof and steel girder system in the building.

County Commission Chairman David Seibert said the main auditorium would seat 2,000 people. He said he has already had inquiries from several local groups about renting the facility.

The renovation is expected to cost $1.4 million with a completion date by mid-May.

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