By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–Needed roof and other repairs at the Grove Tower Building are high on the list of significant issues being addressed by the Henry County Schools board of education.
Director of Schools Dr. Leah Watkins said with the Grove Tower building constructed in 1906, there are “significant issues” requiring attention. The main issue are necessary roof repairs and other issues include heating and cooling in the over 100-year-old building. The Grove Tower building originally was built for Grove High School and it now houses the school district’s central office. It is a local landmark and sits atop one of the highest points in west Tennessee. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
The school board already approved repairs at the Grove Tower Building, roof repairs at the Henry County High School and construction of the Wellness Building/Concession area at the high school as part of the district’s plan for its ESSER (Elementary & Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds.
Target date for completion of the work on the projects would be September of 2024, Dr. Watkins said.
At the Grove Tower building, she said, “We have a lot of water issues here that need addressed. We have to use buckets in the window sills when it rains. We have major roof issues and we have issues with the old boiler. During that cold snap we had, it was only 47 degrees in this building.”
Bids still need to be let for the project. “This building is important to a lot of people”, she said, “so it’s a priority for us.”
The Wellness/Concession building will be near the soccer field at the high school and will be an aea fo exercise and wellness classes during the day as well as a modernized building for concessions and rest rooms that would be used at games.
Roof repairs also are needed at the high school, with “C” building being a priority, she said.
Photo by Shannon McFarlin.