By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

The multipurpose building for Isabella High School’s P.E. classes and athletics is taking shape.

The frame for the new pre-fabricated building is in place, but much of the interior work is still being completed.

“It will be a multi-use facility, which will really help during school time with P.E. classes anytime we have to be inside because that’s when we get into a space crunch,” IHS Principal Ricky Porter said. “It will also help with the overcrowding of some athletic classes (taken by the school’s athletes).”

The existing weight room is not large enough to accommodate all of the students in a class at one time.

Freddy Smith, maintenance supervisor for Chilton County Schools, said his department hopes to start working on the inside framing next week. The department will also be completing electrical work, plumbing and installing fire alarms.

The hope is to have the building complete in three to four months. Smith said the department has been working on the project as it can, while addressing maintenance needs at each school necessary to be taken care of before school starts.

“They have done a really good job this year,” Smith said of the department employees completing the annual summer maintenance.

Porter said the main focus during the summer had been for the contractor to get construction to the point where it would not pose a safety threat to students.

IHS athletic director Tate Leonard said the multipurpose building is something he has wanted for the school ever since the booster club raised funds to upgrade the school’s weights.

Leonard said the building will be used by female and male students for physical education classes, as well as male and female athletes using the upgraded weight room for strength and conditioning.

He said all high school students will be using the building at some time during the week.

“It’s definitely needed and we are thankful for it,” Leonard said.

Leonard said the athletic department was grateful to the Mustang Booster Club for raising approximately $70,000 for the facility. The Board of Education approved the remaining funds for the structure.

The former weight room will become additional locker room space.

The new facility will also have indoor batting cages and portable basketball goals for younger students.

“It will just give us some other options,” Porter said.