SCC's Swain Center undergoing $400,000 in renovations

BRYSON CITY - Over half a century ago, an endeavor to preserve the past while building to better the future for students in Swain County began. Today, Southwestern Community College is ensuring that effort continues.

In the early 1900's Almond School was located where the Fontana boat dock currently stands. Upon announcement from the TVA that its location would soon be underwater due to the construction of the Fontana Dam, Swain County immediately took action.

Workers began dismantling the old Almond School and reusing the materials to build the new Almond School and the Bryson City school bus garage. The new school was to be located just off of 74W, in the Luada community.

According to J.C. Freeman, alumni of the old Almond School, the trusses and slate shingled roof from the old school were reassembled at the school bus garage, and the heating and water system were recycled at the new Almond school.

Doyle Cooper, a former student of the new Almond School, also recalled that the bricks from the old school were cleaned and reused to build part of the new school's auditorium as well as the school bus garage.

"They couldn't afford to waste too much back then," said Cooper. "I believe they salvaged everything they could."

When the new Almond School opened it accommodated over 250 children and claimed the largest classrooms in the County. According to Roberta Powell, retired secretary of Almond School, it also boasted the longest hallway of any school in NC.

"The long hallway that ran down the middle of the building allowed you to literally watch kids grow up as they progressed from one grade to the next," said Dan Trehern, retired Swain County schoolteacher.

The new Almond School served the County for just over fifty years before it, once again, encountered big changes.

Southwestern Community College acquired the Almond School and surrounding property as part of the County's match for the 1993 Community College Bond Referendum. At that time, the building underwent over $1 million in renovations.

"Almost as soon as we moved into the building, renovation work began," said Chuck Reece, Southwestern's director of human resources. "Everything in the building was renovated with the exception of the gymnasium, library, a few classrooms and the cafeteria."

In addition to the renovation project, approximately $80,000 was spent to establish one of the area's first Interactive Television (ITV) classrooms, allowing students in Swain County to participate in college classes and workshops at other locations. SCC's Swain Center also gained a $67,000 Cisco lab thanks to a state technology grant.

In 2000, the roof was completely replaced and parking lot improvements were made through funds designated for capital repairs and renovations.

Today, Southwestern continues its mission to serve the students of Swain County with a modern facility and quality instruction and resources.

Currently a $400,000 renovation project is underway at the Swain Center. The project is funded through the NC Community College 2000 Bond Referendum and does not require the County to match dollars. The project will include refurbishing the gymnasium into a multipurpose room; the library into classrooms; the kitchen into a pottery room; and the cafeteria into a crafts lab. Additionally, restrooms will be given a facelift, awnings will be added to the exterior windows and the heating system will be replaced.

"We've been chipping away at these renovations one project at a time since we gained occupancy of the building," said Dwight Wiggins, SCC's vice-president for extension education and economic development. "After the current renovations are complete, I believe we will have left no stone unturned. The building will be completely renovated."

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