A new elementary school in Wilmore moved one step closer on August 12, 1998. An agreement between the Jessamine County Board of Education and the Wilmore Camp Meeting, Inc. was signed for the 16.5 acre site at 709 East Main Street. The site is the property on the northeastern part of the campground property formerly used by Ichthus Ministries for their annual festival.
The agreed purchase price of the property is $197,000 with the Board of Education paying $165,000 and the City of Wilmore paying $32,000 to the seller to facilitate the agreement.
The agreement also included use of the new school parking lot, playground area and gymnasium during Wilmore Camp Meeting by those participating in that event each year.
The transaction is expected to be closed by September 30, 1998 on the property.
An environmental study is being done by the Board of Education and should be completed within two weeks. A survey of the property is to be completed by the Campground Association. Upon successful completion of these two items, the small worker's and camper's cottages will be removed by the City of Wilmore.
Sherman/Carter/Barnhart Architects of Lexington has been engaged by the Board of Education for the Wilmore Elementary project and has estimated eight months for the development of the plans for the new school. The bidding of the project is expected in June 1999 and the actual construction phase will take approximately fifteen months. The school should be open in August 2000.
The City of Wilmore is grateful to the Jessamine County Board of Education and the Wilmore Campground Association for their patience and commitment to a new Wilmore Elementary School for the children of our town.
The present school site is expected to be used by the Jessamine County School System and the City of Wilmore. The Roberts Building (stone portion) is expected to become a community center for various meetings and programs, including the Recreation Department.
--Mayor Harold L. Rainwater