GRAVETTE - The Gravette Board of Education announced that an open house will be held at the new Gravette Middle School addition this Saturday, April 13, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The new 16,464 square-foot structure is built on the site of the old high school building which was completed in 1963. Much of that structure was demolished last year to make room for the new building.

Visitors Saturday will note the new building complements the other facilities which it joins: the present middle school and music room, which is connected through the south wing of the 1963 building.

The main entrance is retained at the west end of the structure, making it handy to access via the parking lot which visitors are encouraged to use.

Refreshments will be served and staff members will be on hand to answer questions and provide insights for the use of the new facility and how it will enhance the entire middle school program.

In addition to the administration complex at the northwest corner of the structure, there is a multi-room special education area, an art room, a family and consumer science room and large classrooms which meet current educational state requirements. New furnishings for all of the rooms are on order.

Cost of the new building is more than $2.8 million and, with the new ball-field complex on the high school campus completed at a cost of more than $1.5 million, the total project’s cost is roughly $4.8 million. This includes demolition of the old building, roads, paving, asbestos removal and other costs.

Financed through the district on-hand building fund, refunding of existing bonds, a one-time $1.45 million state pull-back and $1 million in second-lien bonds, the entire project has been completed without any increase in the district’s 37.2 millage rate.

News, Pages 1 on 04/10/2013