Agricola Community Center Out for Bids This Week

The estimated $1.6 million project will be built on George County School District land and will be situated in such a way that it is east facing to give Agricola Elementary School easy access to the building. It is anticipated the school may use the building for such things as assemblies, periodic classroom instruction, and staff meetings.

District Two Supervisor Kelly Wright has been meeting with community groups to assess the need for a community center and has found enthusiastic support for the project. “Every time I mention this new community center, there is a real excitement with residents and business owners in the Agricola community.

“I want the building to handle both big and small community events along with serving the elementary school for future educational and civic programs,” Wright said. “Parking is a very important element on this project to me; we are designing a parking layout for current and future demands,” he said. Plans are to now have 65 paved parking spaces with an additional graveled area that can be paved at a later time. The parking area will be fully lighted.

Wright collaborated with the George County School Board and superintendent to put together a proposal for the community center. He then gave that proposal to State Representative Manley Barton, who promised to work it into the state budget appropriations for funding.

“The George County School District is so very excited about the construction of the new community center in Agricola,” School Superintendent Wade Whitney said in an earlier interview. “Not only will this new facility attempt to meet the many needs of the Agricola community, but the partnerships developed among the county, the community of Agricola, and the school district will be beneficial to all involved.”

Barton made good on his promise and the Legislature appropriated $1.6 million for the project at the close of the 2022 legislative session.

County community development director Ken Flanagan said with request for bids going out this week, bids will be opened in mid-January, and the projected awarded shortly after. Construction may begin as quickly as the end of February.