New CCHS Athletic Training Facility announced

MANCHESTER — While many school districts across Kentucky are spending millions of dollars constructing new athletic facilities, the Clay County Board of Education continues to focus on finding innovative ways to meet the needs of its students and employees while remaining fiscally responsible.

That philosophy was on full display Friday evening during a special-called meeting, when the board approved the purchase of the former Kentucky Mountain Industries property off Muddy Gap Road for $750,000. The acquisition will provide enough space to create a multi-sport training facility, a new maintenance garage, and much-needed district storage—all at a fraction of the cost of comparable new construction.

The purchase comes as neighboring districts continue making significant investments in athletic facilities. The Laurel County Board of Education has invested $11.5 million into North Laurel High School's auxiliary gymnasium and $8.6 million into South Laurel High School's auxiliary gymnasium. Both projects began in 2022, with North Laurel's costing more because of foundation issues. More recently, the Corbin Independent School District approved construction of a new auxiliary gymnasium at a cost of $3.2 million.

Clay County is already investing between $10 million and $15 million to renovate Paces Creek Elementary School. The district is also working with Senate President Robert Stivers to secure future renovation funding for Big Creek Elementary should state law be amended to allow bond money to be used for schools with enrollments below 300 students.

Superintendent William Sexton said every project undertaken by the district begins with one goal—meeting the needs of students and employees while being responsible with taxpayer dollars.

"We have to be good stewards of the resources our taxpayers provide," Sexton said. "Every decision we make has to answer one question: Does this best serve our students and employees? Purchasing this property allows us to address multiple needs with one investment. Instead of spending millions more on new construction, we're able to repurpose an existing facility that gives us room to grow while remaining financially responsible."

The closing of Kentucky Mountain Industries presented what district leaders considered a rare opportunity. The property includes five buildings totaling approximately 39,254 square feet. At today's construction costs of roughly $425 per square foot, district officials estimate building that amount of space would cost over $16 million.

Rather than attempting to build multiple facilities over several years, the district plans to renovate the existing buildings to meet several long-term needs.

In addition to housing the district's maintenance department and providing expanded storage, one of the buildings will be converted into a multi-sport training facility for Clay County student-athletes.

Athletic Director Tommy Nicholson said the new facility will dramatically improve opportunities for every athletic program.

"Right now, our existing training facility is booked almost every hour of every day," Nicholson said. "Several of our teams only get access every other day because there's simply not enough space. This new facility will allow us to provide equal opportunities for every program, whether it's archery, baseball, softball, golf, tennis or especially cheerleading. Every athlete deserves access to quality training space, and this investment moves us much closer to making that happen."

Several Clay County coaches echoed Nicholson's comments, saying the expanded facility will benefit every student-athlete.

Tiger baseball and boys golf coach Jason Smith said every program stands to gain.

"Right now, we're all competing for the same space," Smith said. "When weather doesn't cooperate, it becomes even more challenging. Having another training facility means our athletes can spend more time developing instead of waiting for an opening. It doesn't just help baseball and golf—it helps every sport at Clay County High School."

Lady Tiger golf coach Amy Janutolo said consistent practice opportunities are essential.

"This is a tremendous investment in our student-athletes," Janutolo said. "Golf is a sport that requires repetition and consistent practice. Having additional indoor space allows our athletes to continue improving regardless of the weather. It's exciting because it shows every program is important and deserving of the same opportunities."

Tiger softball coach Jason Rice said the investment will pay dividends for years to come.

"This gives us the ability to train when we otherwise couldn't," Rice said. "Instead of canceling workouts or trying to work around everyone else's schedule, our athletes will have another place to improve their skills. That's going to pay dividends not only for softball but for every team that wears the Tiger uniform."

Clay County High School cheerleading coach Caitlyn Gregory said the project addresses one of the program's biggest challenges.

"Our athletes work just as hard as anyone else, but finding adequate practice space has always been a challenge,"Gregory said. "Having a dedicated area where we can safely practice stunts, tumbling and routines will make a tremendous difference. It gives our program an opportunity to continue growing while also showing that every sport at Clay County matters."

Nicholson said hearing the same message from every coach demonstrates why the project is needed.

"When you hear every coach talking about the same issue, you know it's a district-wide need," Nicholson said. "This facility isn't about one sport. It's about creating opportunities for every student-athlete who represents Clay County Schools."

The project also builds upon an athletic transformation that has taken place across the Clay County School District during the past several years. The board has completed a full renovation of Bobby Keith Gymnasium, constructed new football, baseball and softball stadiums, renovated the football athletic complex and added new tennis courts. When the training facility is completed, Clay County will offer one of the premier athletic campuses not only in southeastern Kentucky, but throughout the Commonwealth.

Board member Leewood Cornett said the purchase demonstrates the board's commitment to planning for the future while protecting taxpayer dollars.

"When an opportunity like this comes along, you have to look at the long-term value," Cornett said. "This property allows us to solve several problems with one purchase. We're providing facilities our students and employees need while saving taxpayers millions of dollars compared to building new."

Board member Anthony Lovett agreed.

"This is about meeting needs in a smart, practical way," Lovett said. "Our students continue to benefit because we're investing wisely instead of simply choosing the most expensive option. This property gives us flexibility for years to come while allowing us to stay within our financial means."

The district has consistently pursued cost-effective solutions to its facility needs. Two years ago, the board invested $3.2 million in a warehouse and distribution center that now provides storage while housing goods distributed throughout the community by the Christian Appalachian Project.

The Kentucky Mountain Industries purchase is pending approval by the Kentucky Department of Education. Once approved, the district can take occupancy of the property and begin renovations to create the new training facility while preparing the remaining buildings for maintenance operations and district storage.

District officials said the acquisition represents far more than an athletic project. With one $750,000 purchase, the board is addressing four major needs at once: creating a multi-sport training facility, establishing a centralized maintenance garage, providing additional district storage and securing space for future expansion.

Rather than spending an estimated $16 million constructing similar facilities from the ground up, the board believes the investment allows the district to stretch taxpayer dollars while continuing to improve opportunities for students and employees.

"Our responsibility is to leave this school district stronger than we found it," Sexton said. "When we can solve multiple needs with one investment and save taxpayers millions of dollars in the process, that's exactly the kind of decision we should be making. This property gives us opportunities that simply wouldn't be possible if we had to build everything from scratch, and ultimately it's our students, employees and community who benefit."

Monday night's motion to purchase the Kentucky Mountain Industries property passed on a 3-1 vote. Board members Leewood Cornett, Robin Combs, and Anthony Lovett voted in favor. Board member Roy Allen voted against the purchase, while Chairman Mark Hoskins recused himself because of the appearance of a potential conflict of interest.