THOMASVILLE — Site work on the new Thomasville High School (THS) gymnasium is to begin in 45 to 60 days, with a target completion date in time for the 2015-16 THS basketball season.

The THS parking lot will be reconfigured, and the 28,000-square-foot structure will be constructed at the east end of the current parking lot.

The parking lot will lose eight parking places, said Sabrina Boykins-Everett, Thomasville City Schools superintendent.

The building will “protrude” into the current parking area, said Todd Mobley, THS principal.

The one-story building — with a brick facade similar to the THS exterior — will have five locker rooms.

The structure’s telescoping bleachers may be pulled out for use and retracted when not in use. Bleachers will seat a maximum of 1,200. The basketball court floor can seat several hundred, if needed.

The new gym will have side-by-side dual practice courts to allow for simultaneous practice sessions. “I don’t think any of the other schools in the immediate are have that,” Boykins-Everett said.

The gym will have two public restrooms and a large concession stand. A ticket booth will be at the front entrance. Hallways off the lobby will be used as an athletic display gallery.

With the exception of two nay votes, the Thomasville City Board of Education in July approved Culpepper Construction, a Thomasville firm, as the gym construction management company. Culpepper’s bid of $362,500 was the lowest among four submitted.

The new gym will be paid for with $3 million in Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) revenue and $1.6 million in state funding.

School board members David Cone and Chris Rodd, who cast nay votes on the construction management company bid, are in favor of the new gym, but they voiced reservations.

A self-described fiscal conservative, Cone, pointing out SPLOST revenue but citing state funding cuts in recent years, wants to be sure money is available for gym construction.

“In general, I don’t like to spend money if you don’t have to,” Cone said since the July vote.

Cone said he is “looking out for taxpayers,” which is what he was elected to do.

Rodd expressed concern about timing of gym construction when all furlough days have not been restored.

“We don’t have to move forward with the project this year,” Rodd said. “We can wait a year.”

Rodd and Cone also are concerned about operating expenses once the gym is completed. The money will come from the general fund in subsequent years, Rodd explained.

“I want to make sure we have funds to do it,” Rodd added.

In bleachers alone, the new gym will seat 200 more than the current gymnasium.

The new facility will have a sophisticated, high-tech sound system, the superintendent said.

“The new gym will have a camera system we don’t currently have,” Boykins-Everett said. “ … All of the construction is going to be more energy-efficient.”

Boykins-Everett, a 1975 THS graduate, was a member of the first class to graduate from the new 315 S. Hansell St. school. A gym was not included when the new school was built.

THS events are conducted at the old school gym across East Jackson Street.

“Having a gym on campus for pep rallies, games, assemblies, we don’t have to cross Jackson Street. It’s right here. It saves time,” Mobley explained.

While gym construction is under way, THS parking will be behind the school and at Veterans Memorial Stadium across Jackson Street.

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