By Staff
NEW HOME Bruce White directs the Meridian High School Band in its new home in the Activities Building. Photo by Carisa McCain / The Meridian Star
By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
March 26, 2002
Some classes have moved into the renovated Activities Building at Meridian High School.
Band director Bruce White said Monday it has been worth the wait, even though the band had been meeting in a metal building adjacent to the campus' practice field since August.
The band made the move shortly before spring break this semester.
With carpeting and acoustical ceiling tiles in place, White said the sound quality is good and there is more space for the band now that a wall has been removed.
Still left to be done are new storage rooms for the band's music library, instruments, uniforms and a room for solo and small group practices.
Speech and drama classes have also moved into the refurbished building.
The classes now have larger space, which was restructured from a classroom and adjoining office. Derek Pouncey, drama teacher, said the new environment is a welcome improvement over the small office space in the cafeteria, where the classes met before its move two weeks ago.
Pouncey also said the hardships his classes have endured were worth the wait for renovation.
He also said students have a noticeable sense of pride in the improved building.
Construction Services of Meridian started the renovation and construction project for the high school last summer, which totals about $2.7 million. The company was behind schedule earlier this year, but Archie Scarbrough, executive director of facilities for the district, said Monday that work is back on track.
Besides an expansion of the Activities Building, the high school project included new heating and air conditioning units and renovated bathrooms for the main building.
Scarbrough said chorus, music and art classes plan to move into the building this summer. The Activities Building is expected to be completed by the end of this school year.
Improved lighting, plumbing and more space is being added for the fine arts department, which will have shelves for drying works of art, a kiln for ceramics, space for printmaking and an area where computers can eventually go for graphic design instruction.
The MHS Chorus will also have more space when it makes its move from the auditorium, where the class has been housed this school year. The completed chorus room will have an acoustic ceiling and built-in risers for the choir.