A group of people in Warner Robins has come together to
offer the Houston County Board of Education alternatives to the demolition of
Rumble Academy.
Rumble, which is located on South Davis Drive, was once the
junior high school and middle school before finally becoming Rumble Academy,
the ninth grade academy for Warner Robins High School.
With the passing of the Education-Special Purpose Local
Option Sales Tax, the school is scheduled to be demolished to provide green
space for practice fields. The demolition excludes the gym, the new classroom
wing that was built in 1996 and the band and tech lab building that was built
in 1969, according to the board of education website. The classroom wing will modified
and the band and tech lab building will become the Houston County Central
Registration.
During the Save Rumble Rally held at the Wellston Center
Thursday, speakers provided information regarding the school and offered alternatives
to demolishing it.
“Historic preservation is good for the local economy,”
stated Kristi Harpst of the Middle Georgia Regional Commission, who listed
several ways the preservation of historic buildings could help the economy such
as job creation.
Jim Elliott, who is one of the people heading up the effort,
said he would like to keep the existing building due to the lack of historical
buildings in Warner Robins compared to other cities in the area.
He, along with many others, has offered the possibility of
renovating the existing building instead of tearing it down.
“We will keep an open mind and be happy to hear any input,” stated
Board of Education Chairman Tom Walmer about the alternatives that were being
discussed by the group. “We came (to the event) to see what they have to say.”
Walmer stated the proposed demolition is scheduled take
place sometime during 2014 after the new school across from Warner Robins High School,
the Linwood Elementary renovations and Pearl Stephens Elementary renovations are
complete.
In addition to the informational meeting Thursday, the group
created a “Save Rumble” Facebook page that has more than 480 friends. The page
is dedicated to sharing the memories of the school and updating the community
of the happenings surrounding the school.
HHJ News
