$5 million added to cost of WHS

Sister station WGOG reports a new Oconee County high school first projected to cost $50 million, at the most, will now cost $55 million.  Monday night, school trustees received a maximum guaranteed price during their work session, but no vote was taken. Trustees were told that $3.2 million of the increased costs above the original estimate are traced to academic and code requirements. After one trustee questioned the price tag for springtime sports facilities, Chairman Andy Inabinet said the board has the option to approve a price below $55 million. Until the trustees act, the graded Highway 11 property at Picket Post will remain clear, but the contractor manager said the builders would be ready. Jack Weber of the Trehel Corporation said the construction management company at risk has made, in some areas, successful efforts to involve Oconee County workers as sub-contractors. For $55 million, or whatever price is finally set, trustees were told they could expect the new 260,000 square foot Walhalla High School, with a core student capacity of 1,300, will last 50 to 60 years. The campus is being configured to include a football stadium in time for the 2015 opening, instead of a stadium being added later.