AMERICUS—For those of you familiar with Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) and its signature structure, the Wheatley Administration Building, you are probably not familiar with the large open, auditorium-like space on the backside of the building.

            Prior to the completed renovation of the Administration Building in April 2007, this space was multi-leveled and housed the Financial Aid Office, Human Resources and the Business Office, and it served as the library from 1941 to 1962. Following the initial renovation, funding was not sufficient to complete the assembly area, leaving it bare. However, the University now has the $950,000 necessary to complete the project and the actual renovation process began on July 10.

            “This is not the largest of the several building projects that have been undertaken during my tenure here at Georgia Southwestern,” said GSW President Kendall A. Blanchard, Ph.D. “However, it is one of the most exciting. The new renovated section of the Wheatley Building will add a whole new dimension to campus life, providing large classroom spaces and a large area that I like to think of as principally an area for entertaining.”

            The space will be transformed into a multipurpose use area. This project will include the creation of a stage, new hard wood flooring, new lighting, state of the art acoustical treatments and installation of audio visual equipment all while retaining its natural “unfinished” look. Restrooms and storage areas will be added, as well. 

            The completed room will be available for conducting large classes, meetings and events open to the public. Two new medium-sized classrooms opening onto the Centennial Square will be constructed at the rear of the assembly area.

            Warren Scott Contracting of Americus has been awarded the contract for the renovation. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of November 2009.

            On the mend--A construction project to restore the large open space behind the Wheatley Administration Building is currently underway.

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