Community members, county leaders, students and school officials gathered at Brevard High School on Tuesday to celebrate the grand reopening of the historic "Old Gym."
The ribbon-cutting marked a significant milestone. It is the first completed project under the county's school bond initiative. It was accomplished through an interlocal agreement between the Transylvania County Board of Education and the Board of Commissioners.
Transylvania County Schools Superintendent Dr. Lisa Fletcher and County Manager Jaime Laughter addressed the crowd, highlighting the collaborative effort that brought the project to fruition.
School Board Chair Tanya Dalton and board members Greg Cochran and Ruth Harris joined County Commission Chair Teresa McCall in speaking about this successful investment in local public education.
The renovation included a complete roof replacement down to the decking, featuring higher insulation for improved utility efficiency and cost savings. Workers repointed the brick exterior, replaced windows and installed modern LED lighting throughout. For the first time in the gym's history, heating and air conditioning were added. The project also addressed infrastructure needs with improved site and roof drainage, while the interior received new gym and lobby flooring, refinished beam bases with repainted beams, and fresh paint throughout. Four backboards were replaced due to their condition.
“It’s a testament to that, just because something is old, does not mean it can't be made new again,” Laughter said on Tuesday.
She thanked both boards and members of the community who supported the initiative.
“We could not have moved forward without this seamless collaboration,” she said.
Colonel Larry Chapman, Vice-Chair of the Commissioners thanked the residents of Transylvania County for supporting the project. Chapman, a former BHS student, said attending prom in the “Old Gym” in 1968 is one of his fondest memories. His graduating class hopes to have their next reunion there, he said.
Brevard High School Principal Mick Galloway joined the celebration, alongside members of the basketball team, the school's ROTC cadets and even the Blue Devil mascot.
“The two boards came together with a mutual goal of improving our schools and, as you can see, that is happening,” Dr. Fletcher said, speaking about the education board and the county commissioners.
Fletcher and Laughter thanked those who made the renovation possible.
Architect Rich Worley and his team worked alongside the County Project Team, including Project Manager Larry Reece, David McNeill and Beecher Allison. TCS staff, Appalachian Construction, Palmetto Concrete, and the Education Capital Subcommittee all played crucial roles in bringing the vision to reality, Fletcher said.
The gym renovation represents the first completed bond project after Transylvania County Schools and Transylvania County partnered under their new interlocal agreement, finalized in February 2025. More bond initiatives are currently in progress throughout the district. The scopes of work were identified through a comprehensive assessment by contractor Axias and approved by both boards.
"There are a lot more projects going on and this is number one," Chapman said. "A lot of modernization and major improvements are in the works."
Bonds are a method of funding to help pay for large-scale projects like these school renovations. A complete plan for projects had to be created and submitted before the bonds could be sold. The first bonds were sold at the end of 2024 so the projects could begin.
Residents can stay informed about ongoing school renovations through regular updates. The School Bond Project Manager delivers a report on the renovation and construction work at the second Board of Commissioners meeting every month, as well as at Board of Education meetings. These reports are also available on the county's website.