THOMASVILLE — The Thomas County Public Library System headquarters staff does not literally make lemonade from rain water that pours through the North Madison Street building’s roof, but they do make the best of it.

Water that enters the building through the roof and falls into receptacles is used to water indoor and outdoor plants, said Trent Reynolds, library director.

All that will change in August, when a new roof will go on the building.

Reynolds said it is thought the roof leaks where additions have been made to the building. 

“They suspect water is coming in there,” Reynolds said, adding that other leak locations are possible.

Perida Mitchell, library reference manager, came up with the idea of making lemonade from lemons and using water from leaks to water plants.

Reynolds said the leaks are not always in the same place, and ceiling tiles are constantly replaced.

At a recent meeting, Thomas County commissioners approved a low bid of $424,113 submitted by CCH Construction, of Thomasville, to replace the roof and eight roof-top air-conditioning units. 

“They are beginning to fail,” Reynolds said in reference to the cooling systems.

Architect Ray Finger said he and Lyndall Knight, county building maintenance supervisor, met with CCH personnel about the bid, which is $100,000 lower than the next lowest bid.

Finger said the lower price was attributed to subcontractors used by the company and to the close proximity of the West Jackson Street streetscape project the company is doing.

“He met all the requirements we have,” Finger told commissioners.

Pointing out that CCH will not have to establish a field office because of the nearby West Jackson project, Knight concurred.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820